Dragonflies: Jewels of the Dismal Swamp ✨
- 4 days ago
- 1 min read
Flashes of blue, green, red, and gold dancing above the water are a sure sign that dragonfly season has arrived in the Dismal Swamp. These ancient insects have been around for more than 300 million years and are among nature's most skilled flyers.
Dragonflies spend most of their lives underwater before emerging as colorful adults that help control mosquito populations and other insects.
Because they depend on clean water and healthy wetlands, their presence is a sign of a thriving ecosystem.
From late spring through early fall, watch for dragonflies hovering above canals, perched on reeds along trails, or patrolling the edges of the Dismal Swamp Canal. Their brilliant colors and aerial acrobatics make them one of the swamp's most dazzling sights.
The next time you're exploring the Dismal Swamp, take a moment to appreciate these remarkable "jewels of the wetlands." ✨
Sources
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Dismal Swamp State Park
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Habitat Stewards of Northeast North Carolina
North Carolina State Extension
