Like Watching a Disaster Movie... Panic as a Swarm of Dragonflies Hits US Beach

"Dragonfly Swarms Likely Moved in Search of Better Habitats"

Millions of dragonflies swarmed the northeastern coast of the United States, causing a commotion.

On the 30th (local time), CBS News and other foreign media reported that millions of dragonflies appeared on the beaches of Rhode Island over the past weekend, making scenes from disaster movies come to life.

[Image source=Instagram]

Videos of the incident show countless dragonflies flying against the backdrop of a beautiful beach. Citizens enjoying the beach shouted or covered themselves with towels upon seeing the dragonflies.

Netizens who saw the video reacted with comments such as "Scary. Is the world ending?", "Amazing sight", and "Everyone must have been surprised by so many dragonflies."

[Image source=Instagram]

Experts have offered various opinions on the cause of the dragonfly swarm attacking the beach. Dragonfly expert Ginger Brown said, "Dragonflies occasionally migrate in swarms mainly in late summer and early autumn," adding, "Dragonflies can travel long distances relatively easily, which may be the cause of the phenomenon we are witnessing."

He added, "Dragonflies are a key part of the ecosystem as they eat pests like mosquitoes and serve as food for birds," and "Just enjoy the dragonfly swarm. Dragonflies have excellent eyesight and won’t fly toward your face."

There are also opinions that climate change played a role. Last winter was unusually warm, aiding dragonfly hatching, and in recent weeks, central Rhode Island and Massachusetts have experienced severe drought. David Gregg of the Rhode Island Natural History Survey analyzed, "Due to the drought, ponds began to dry up, causing a decline in mosquito populations, which are dragonflies’ prey," and "It is likely that the dragonflies moved in search of better habitats."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.