This time of year, millions of dragonflies are returning to the Maldives, a stage in the longest insect migration in the world. Flying thousands of miles across the open ocean, these dragonflies are known as globe skimmers, which refers to their migratory behavior. Until about 20 years ago, no one knew where they came from. But researchers have since discovered that the dragonflies take advantage of moving weather systems and monsoon rains to make their epic migration across the Arabian Sea from India. From the Maldives, the dragonflies will continue their journey, passing through the Seychelles and then on to East Africa.
The globe skimmers return
Today in History
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Mountain goats
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National Park Week: Wind Cave National Park
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Porcupine
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National Audubon Society s Christmas Bird Count
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Macro photograph of a migrant hawker dragonfly
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Halfway Day
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Star Wars Day
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Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan, India
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An historic forest
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The moth wonderful time of the year
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Jane’s Carousel delights
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200th anniversary of Brazilian independence
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Fibonacci Day
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Opt outside today
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Paralympic Games begin in Paris
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Aerial view of the Colorado River Delta in Mexico
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