Thousands of Dragonflies Swarm Fishing Boat... What Is Happening off the Coast of Jeju?

Pantala flavescens Sightings in Early Summer Are Unusual
Typically Most Abundant in Mid-July After the Monsoon Season

Recently, thousands of dragonflies were spotted off the coast of Jeju. The appearance of such a large swarm of dragonflies in early summer is highly unusual, and experts believe it is due to climate change and the earlier-than-usual formation of the monsoon front this year. On June 18, JIBS Jeju Broadcasting reported that thousands of dragonflies swarmed a fishing boat operating in the waters near Suwolbong, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City in the early morning, causing difficulties for the crew.

A swarm of dragonflies flew onto a fishing boat operating in the waters near Suwolbong, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City, in the early morning of the 18th. JIBS

In the footage, thousands of dragonflies can be seen swarming around the fishing rods illuminated by fish-attracting lights. The swarm filled the sky and covered the bodies of the people fishing. The captain of the Jeju fishing boat said, "It wasn't just one or two; they covered the entire boat," and added, "They stuck all over our backs, making it almost impossible to work."

The dragonflies that swarmed the boat were Pantala flavescens, measuring 3.7 to 4.2 centimeters in length. These dragonflies are usually most abundant in mid-July, after the monsoon season. They migrate from Southeast Asia, pass through Korea, and travel as far as Kyushu, Japan. Since they feed on mosquitoes and flies, they are classified as beneficial insects. This is not the first time such a swarm has appeared. In September last year, thousands of Pantala flavescens also swarmed a fishing boat in Jeju, that time near Gimnyeong Port. This year, they were observed near Suwolbong, several dozen kilometers away. Observing such a phenomenon in early summer is considered unusual.

Experts estimate that the continued hot and humid weather, which is ideal for dragonfly activity, has led to an increase in their population. In addition, Pantala flavescens tend to migrate along the monsoon front, and this year, the monsoon front formed earlier than usual in Jeju, which experts believe is why the swarm was observed earlier in the season.