The Great Dragonfly Migration was originally published in the BFEC Newsletter, Vol. 18/No. 4, Fall 2014.
When autumn arrives in Ohio, no one is surprised to see huge flocks of birds beginning their southward trek. Birds, however, aren’t the only ones who seek warmer climates during the winter months; many species of dragonflies also migrate each year. In fact, as many as 50 of the estimated 5,200 dragonfly species in the world migrate, following topographical features such as rivers and coastlines. Experts know little about dragonfly migration, but they are beginning to monitor patterns, noting that cold fronts usually trigger the migration process.
One species of migrating dragonfly found right here at the BFEC is the common green darner. While not all green darners migrate annually, those that do make their journey south to Texas or Mexico beginning in late July to early October, using stopover sights about every three days to rest and eat for a day or two before moving on. Look for “flocks” of dragonflies flying and feeding (on other, smaller insects) over fields. The dragonflies that return north in the spring are not the ones that migrated in the fall; it’s the next generation that makes the return flight.