Identified as Subtropical Pantala flavescens
Lingering in Jeju Due to Prolonged Heatwave
The sea off Jeju Island has been blanketed by a swarm of dragonflies. Even fishing boats are struggling as large groups of dragonflies gather around them. The exact reason for the sudden appearance of dragonflies over the sea has yet to be determined.
On September 9, JIBS Jeju Broadcasting reported that swarms of dragonflies had appeared off the coast of Gimnyeong, Jeju Island. In the footage released by the outlet, dragonflies can be seen clinging densely to a fishing boat floating 3 kilometers offshore in the early morning of September 8. The dragonflies even land on the backs of people standing on the boat. They gather not only on people’s bodies but also inside the vessel, leaving barely any space to step.
The captain of the fishing boat told the broadcaster, "There are even more dragonflies on days without wind," adding, "I've never seen so many dragonflies before. Literally thousands of them gather here."
The dragonflies have been identified as Pantala flavescens, a subtropical species. Pantala flavescens inhabits regions from the mid-latitudes to the southern hemisphere tropics and is known for its lightweight body, which makes it well-suited for long-distance flights. When it senses changes in tropical air currents, such as those caused by typhoons, it rides strong sea winds and can travel several kilometers. This explains the sudden and unusual appearance of dragonflies over the sea.
The exact reason why Pantala flavescens has appeared off the coast of Jeju Island remains unclear. However, some speculate that the abnormal heatwave is a contributing factor. Pantala flavescens is highly active in temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius and typically migrates north in the autumn. However, due to the ongoing heatwaves, it is believed that the dragonflies have remained in Jeju until early September.
Although Pantala flavescens is not considered a pest, it is reported that the prolonged period of hot and humid weather in Jeju, which has lasted much longer than usual, could lead to a further increase in their population.
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