Broad-striped Forceptail (Aphylla angustifolia)

Broad-striped Forceptail
Aphylla angustifolia

Within the United States, the *Broad-striped Forceptail (Aphylla angustifolia)* occurs in southern Texas and Louisiana. It is a fairly large and showy clubtail that is quite similar in appearance to the Narrow-striped Forceptail (Aphylla protracta). The shots shown here of a male (first two photos) and a female (3rd and 4th photos) were digital captures in Austin, Travis Co., Texas in July, 2003. We were at a small, duckweed-covered pond, and moderate numbers of these forceptails were found resting on vegetation in the immediate area. The shots were taken with a Canon EOS 10D and EF 70-200 mm F2.8 L IS lens with a 2X extender and 550 EX flash.



The next shot, of a young male, was taken in San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas, in August, 2005, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash.
The female Broad-striped Forceptail shown here was at Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in August, 2007. The image was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash.
The male Broad-striped Forceptail shown here was in San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas, in June, 2008. This image was taken with the same equipment as previously described.
The young female Broad-striped Forceptail shown here and the male in the next shot were along the Rio Grande in Hidalgo Co., Texas, in June, 2008. These shots were taken with the same photo gear as previously described.

The shot shown here was taken along the Rio Grande in Hidalgo Co., Texas, in June, 2008. It is a comparison image showing a male Broad-striped Forceptail (above) with a male Ringed Forceptail (below).
The next 2 shots of a male Broad-striped Forceptail were taken along the Rio Grande in Hidalgo Co., Texas, in May, 2009, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 300mm F/4 l IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash.

The next 3 images of a pair of Broad-striped Forceptails in copula were taken in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in July, 2010. A Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and an EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash was used for these images.


The next 2 shots, showing a female, then a male Broad-striped Forceptail, were taken in July, 2010, in Uvalde Co., Texas, with the same gear described just previously.

The next 6 images of Broad-striped Forceptails were taken in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in August, 2010, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash. The individual shown here is a female.
The next 3 shots show male Broad-striped Forceptails.


The next 2 shots show a male Broad-striped Forceptail which had been injured, or perhaps deformed upon emergence, causing the abdomen to be twisted around 180 degrees. This guy flew fine, but would not have been able to reproduce.

The next two shots of a female Broad-striped Forceptail were taken in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in June, 2011, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash.

The female Broad-striped Forceptail on the right was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in June, 2011. This image was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500 lens with Canon 580 flash.
The male Broad-striped Forceptail on the right was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in June, 2011. This image was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500 lens with Canon 580 flash.
The female Broad-striped Forceptail on the right was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in June, 2011. This image was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500 lens with Canon 580 flash.
The next three images of male Broad-striped Forceptails were taken in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in August, 2011, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash.

The male Broad-striped Forceptail on the right has captured a wasp and is feeding on it.
Broad-striped Forceptail Aphylla angustifolia male Hornsby Bend, Austin, Travis Co., Texas 5 June 2013
Broad-striped Forceptail Aphylla angustifolia male Hornsby Bend, Austin, Travis Co., Texas 5 June 2013
Broad-striped Forceptail Aphylla angustifolia female Hornsby Bend, Austin, Travis Co., Texas 12 June 2013
Broad-striped Forceptail Aphylla angustifolia male Hornsby Bend, Austin, Travis Co., Texas 19 June 2013
Broad-striped Forceptail Aphylla angustifolia female Hornsby Bend, Austin, Travis Co., Texas 1 July 2013
Broad-striped Forceptail Aphylla angustifolia female Hornsby Bend, Austin, Travis Co., Texas 5 July 2013
The female Broad-striped Forceptail here was in Austin, Texas, in August, 2013.