Beachgoers scream, run for cover as thousands of dragonflies swarm them

WESTERLY, R.I. (WFSB/Gray News) – Beachgoers in Rhode Island were surprised by a swarm of dragonflies over the weekend.

Videos from Saturday show people running for cover at Misquamicut Beach in Westerly as thousands of dragonflies surround them.

Beachgoer Nicole Taylor told WFSB that the swarm seemingly came out of nowhere.

“One minute, everything was calm. The next minute, I saw the most dragonflies I’ve ever seen in my life,” Taylor said. “It lasted for like three minutes, and then they were gone. It was a very strange experience.”

Dragonflies help to control the mosquito population, according to officials at the Meig’s Point Nature Center at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.

Experts said there could be a couple of reasons why they might swarm.

They can emerge in large numbers during the right conditions, such as warm weather and an abundance of prey.

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