Project Dragonfly — Ducks Unlimited Canada Skip to main content

Project Dragonfly

What can dragonfly populations tell us about the future of our wildlife?

Dragonfly populations are telling us that something is wrong

Dragonflies are considered beautiful symbols of nature and new beginnings. They undergo a total transformation from aquatic larva to aerial insect.

Some rely on multiple generations to complete one migration cycle to and from Canada. They are both voracious predators and important food sources to many other species. And like a canary in a coalmine, they can alert us when something is seriously wrong.

Today, dragonfly populations are telling us that something is wrong. Of the world’s 6,016 species of dragonflies and damselflies, 16 per cent are at risk of extinction. Research shows these are indicator species for biodiversity and our environment—and wetland loss is the leading cause of their woes.

And they are not alone, more than 550 species in Canada rely on wetlands for their survival, from ducks to turtles, frogs, fishes and many more. That’s why we work to save and restore wetlands, for the benefit of Canadian wildlife and humans alike.

What do dragonflies tell us about biodiversity loss?

Canada is known around the globe for our incredible wildlife and wild places. Our wetlands punch above their weight in supporting biodiversity in Canada and beyond.

It’s easy to see that we have an incredible opportunity—and responsibility—to address biodiversity loss first by conserving wetlands.

Though most of Canada’s dragonfly species are not currently in trouble, others around the world are. If Canada continues to lose wetlands and fall short on monitoring habitat loss, we risk the future of these creatures—creating a ripple effect with negative consequences for entire ecosystems.

Wetlands can also help provide balance among the wild species that regularly touch our lives, such as pollinators, biting insects, fish, birds, and of course…dragonflies.

What do dragonflies mean to people?

Dragonflies are linked to us through both our environment and our culture.

Research shows that the wetland habitats dragonflies depend on do a lot of good for human wellbeing, too. These wetlands:

  • Help us adapt to climate change by providing a buffer for extreme weather
  • Help reduce climate change by capturing and storing greenhouse gases
  • Reduce the severity of both flooding and drought by acting like giant sponges on the landscape
  • Give us cleaner water by capturing and processing nutrients like phosphorus

For some, the spiritual meaning of dragonflies is significant. Dragonflies can symbolize change, hope, adaptability and new beginnings—a logical connection to the transformation they undergo in metamorphosis, from drab aquatic larva to beautiful adult dragonfly.

Dragonfly on a branch

Be a community scientist

Log your observations in iNaturalist to support community science and conservation!

Join Project Dragonfly
Migrating dragonflies follow similar routes as their great-grandparents. Researchers believe dragonfly migration may be influenced by environmental cues like temperature and daylight.
Migrating dragonflies follow similar routes as their great-grandparents. Researchers believe dragonfly migration may be influenced by environmental cues like temperature and daylight. © DUC

Easy ways to help Canada’s wildlife and our environment

Together with our sister organizations in the United States and Mexico, we address habitat conservation at a continental scale—making sure migratory species like ducks and dragonflies find the habitat they need everywhere they go.

Dragonfly populations have adapted and survived for more than 300 million years. Now they are giving us a warning—and we need to respond. The good news is that everyone can make a difference. Here are three easy ways you can help:

Be a community scientist

Be a community scientist

Log your observations in Project Dragonfly on iNaturalist and follow us on social media for project updates

Connect with Conservation

Connect with Conservation

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to become informed about conservation efforts and opportunities.

Does your class or group want to learn more about dragonflies?

Does your class or group want to learn more about dragonflies?

Book our online Critter Dipping workshop to discover the wonders of the dragonfly life cycle and other wetland invertebrates.


Learn more about conservation and biodiversity in Canada

For more than 85 years, we’ve been Canada’s wetland conservation leader.

Project Dragonfly FAQs

Project Dragonfly FAQs

Answers to commonly asked questions about dragonflies and their ecosystems, from the Project Dragonfly webinar.

Documenting Canada’s rare dragonflies

Documenting Canada’s rare dragonflies

How citizen science and wetland conservation are helping important indicator species.

Dragonflies and monarchs: multi-generation migrations

Dragonflies and monarchs: multi-generation migrations

In the world of dragonfly and butterfly migration, it can take more than one generation to complete a round-trip from north to south and back again.

Insects on call

Insects on call

Researchers are studying how pollinators and other beneficial insects use wetland habitats