There are so many dragonflies because they are attracted to areas with abundant water and plentiful food sources. Dragonflies spend the first part of their life underwater as nymphs, so standing water like ponds, lakes, or even unchlorinated pools provides an ideal habitat for their development. When many dragonfly nymphs mature simultaneously, a large number of adult dragonflies emerge and can be seen swarming. Additionally, dragonflies are voracious predators that feed on mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and other small insects. If an area has a spike in these insect populations, such as after rain or humid weather, dragonflies gather in large numbers to feed. Sometimes, dragonflies also appear in migrating swarms moving through an area to complete their life cycle or follow food sources. Warm weather conditions and environmental cues influence their activity and swarming behavior. Overall, many dragonflies typically indicate a healthy, insect-rich ecosystem near water.
