Medium-sized dragonflies most often seen around lakes, boggy streams and peatlands in the mountains or in the north. Of 16 species in our region, 13 have Northern or Beringian ranges. The eyes, often brilliant green, meet broadly on top of the head. The shape of the anal loop in the hindwing is distinctive. Adults seldom perch during feeding and males frequently hover when patrolling for mates; when resting, they normally hang vertically or obliquely from vegetation. In flight, a male frequently arches its abdomen, which is often narrower at the base and tip. Larvae are usually squat and rather hairy; they sprawl in the mud and detritus in the bottom of the waters where they live.
| Uncommon overall, but often abundant in suitable habitats; rare south of 51°N, where it lives in subalpine-forest peatlands. Prefers level, shallow, mossy fens and bogs dominated by sedges and buckbean. Males patrol across and around pools or small shallow puddles. Named for Francis Whitehouse, a B.C. banker and student of dragonflies.
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