California skies are suddenly swarming with dragonflies — and farmers are thrilled
- California residents and farmers are reporting unusually large swarms of dragonflies across the state this summer.
- Experts attribute the surge in population to warm late-spring and early-summer monsoon storms that created ideal conditions for migratory wandering gliders.
- Farmers welcome the dragonflies as natural pest control because the insects prey on crop-damaging pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and fruit flies.
- Dragonflies are among nature’s most efficient aerial predators, consuming hundreds of mosquitoes daily with a hunting success rate above 90 percent.
- Although California is home to roughly 70 dragonfly species, migratory gliders move quickly from region to region by surfing high-pressure weather systems.
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