A Massive Swarm Of Dragonflies Is Hovering Over Ohio And It Could Bring Good Luck
By April Dray|Published September 23, 2019
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April Dray
Author
April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.
If you’ve seen an unusual amount of dragonflies in your yard lately, you’re not alone. Swarms of dragonflies have recently made their way across the Buckeye State. The handful of dragonflies gliding across your yard today were likely part of a massive swarm that first showed up on the National Weather Service radar a couple weeks ago. Is this a sign of good luck? Is it Mother Nature simply taking its course?
Here’s why these flying friends are likely making their way across Ohio:
You might have noticed more dragonflies than usual these past few weeks. Cruising around at about 10 mph, these unique creatures aren't common to see in high numbers in the Buckeye State.
Fun fact: Some dragonflies can travel up to a speed of more than 30 mph.
In mid-September, the National Weather Service observed an unusual mass crossing over parts of Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The strangest factor? No rainfall was detected. The culprit? Swarms of dragonflies, likely accompanied by birds and other insects.
Exactly how many dragonflies would make a "swarm" appear on the radar? That would be an estimate of 20-30 thousand dragonflies. (That's A LOT of dragonflies.)
The most common theory for this massive swarm of dragonflies is migration. At the end of summer, dragonflies make their way south to warmer southern states and central American countries.
In spite of their small size, scientists have found that some dragonflies have the capability to travel more than 100 miles a day.
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With a wingspan of anywhere between 2 - 5 inches, these creatures can be startling to spot flying around if you're not used to them. If one should land on you though, it could mean good luck.
The most popular folklore surrounding dragonflies is that they bring good luck. If spotted, you're supposed to expect a positive transformation coming your way.
Whatever you believe about dragonflies, you can't deny that their presence is strong in Ohio this fall. Although most have already made their way out of northern Ohio, they're currently still making their way steadily through southern Ohio.
