Dragonflies are ancient, highly successful insects. While many species remain near their birthplace, a significant number undertake vast, seasonal movements. The answer to whether dragonflies migrate is yes, with some species completing journeys that rival or even exceed the distances covered by migrating birds and butterflies. These movements are true, directional migrations that connect ecosystems across continents.
Scope of Migration
Dragonfly movement is classified into two types: short-distance dispersal and true migration. Dispersal involves short-range, non-directional flights to find a new feeding ground or breeding pond, which is common behavior for most odonates. True migration is a sustained, directional movement involving a large portion of a population. Unlike birds, the round-trip journey for many migratory dragonflies is multi-generational, meaning the individual flying south is not the one that will fly north in the spring.
Long-distance travel relies on the dragonfly’s exceptional aerial agility and physiological adaptations. Migratory species often fly at high altitudes, sometimes over 3,000 feet, to catch favorable tailwinds. Although dragonflies can hover and fly in multiple directions, migratory flight is characterized by a rapid, directional style that conserves energy. This involves a combination of powered stroking and gliding, sometimes reaching wind-assisted ground speeds of up to 77 kilometers per hour.
Environmental Triggers for Movement
Dragonfly migration is driven by the necessity to escape unfavorable environmental conditions and locate suitable breeding habitat. These insects require standing fresh water for their aquatic nymph stage. Migration allows them to continuously chase optimal conditions for reproduction, which explains why movement has been observed on every continent except Antarctica.
Specific environmental cues signal the onset of migration, most notably falling temperatures and changes in day length (photoperiod). For example, the northward spring migration of the Common Green Darner is triggered when air temperatures reach approximately 9 degrees Celsius. Mass movements, known as irruptive migrations, are sometimes triggered not by seasonal changes but by localized resource depletion or high population density. The need to find temporary pools for egg-laying after heavy rainfall also drives the movement of some species in arid regions.
Key Migratory Species and Distances
The scale of dragonfly migration is demonstrated by two well-studied species: the Common Green Darner (Anax junius) and the Globe Skimmer (Pantala flavescens). The Common Green Darner is the most recognized long-distance migrant in North America, undertaking a multi-generational journey spanning thousands of kilometers. Individuals have been tracked migrating an average of 600 to 900 kilometers, with some covering over 2,500 kilometers in a season. This annual cycle typically involves three generations to complete the full round trip between the southern United States, Mexico, or the Caribbean and the northern reaches of Canada.
The Globe Skimmer, also known as the Wandering Glider, holds the record for the longest insect migration known worldwide. This small species, measuring about 4.5 centimeters long, is believed to complete a generational, transoceanic circuit between India and Africa. Genetic evidence suggests a mixing of genes across populations separated by vast oceans. This supports the estimate that the species could be traveling between 14,000 and 18,000 kilometers annually. Researchers gather this data using tracking methods, including the analysis of stable hydrogen isotopes in the wing tissue to determine the insect’s birthplace, alongside citizen science observation programs.