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California Dragonflies Swarm Amid Warm Rains, Offering Natural Pest Control
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Environment & Climate

California Dragonflies Swarm Amid Warm Rains, Offering Natural Pest Control

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • Swarms of dragonflies are appearing in unusually large numbers across California, likely fueled by warm spring rains.
  • Experts attribute the surge to migratory wandering gliders, which are beneficial as they prey on pests like mosquitoes and aphids.
  • Dragonflies spend most of their lives underwater as nymphs before emerging as flying insects for a few weeks or months.

Californians are witnessing a remarkable surge in dragonfly populations, a phenomenon attributed to the state's unusually warm spring rains. Residents from Oakland to Fresno have reported spotting large swarms of these formidable predators.

It’s been amazing to see them.

— Peter VeilleuxPeter Veilleux, who owns a nursery in Oakland, described his experience spotting large numbers of dragonflies.

Experts suggest that the increased numbers are likely due to wandering gliders, a highly migratory species that appears in large numbers when conditions are favorable. These dragonflies, capable of flying up to 35 mph, are described as "surfing the pressure system, the monsoon." Their presence is welcomed by farmers like Joe Del Bosque, who noted their effectiveness in controlling pests that damage crops.

We could say that they’re surfing the pressure system, the monsoon.

— Kathy BiggsKathy Biggs, a dragonfly expert, explained how the dragonflies likely navigate the weather systems.

Dragonflies play a vital role in the ecosystem, with their nymph stage spent underwater where they consume mosquito larvae and other aquatic insects. Once they emerge as winged adults, their short lifespan is dedicated to hunting other insects, acting as natural pest control. Their ability to fly in multiple directions and hover makes them efficient aerial hunters, often compared to "little fighter jets."

They are like little fighter jets. They zoom in for other insects and capture them in the air.

— Joe Del BosqueJoe Del Bosque, a farmer, described the hunting behavior of dragonflies.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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