Some dragonfly species undertake extraordinary long-distance migrations spanning thousands of kilometers, raising questions about their welfare during these remarkable journeys.
Whether migratory dragonflies experience welfare-relevant states during their remarkable journeys is an open scientific question. Their complex navigation and behavioral flexibility suggest more sophisticated neural processing than previously assumed. From a precautionary welfare perspective, reducing threats to their migration routes — particularly pesticide use near wetlands and light pollution that disrupts navigation — is a reasonable action. Protecting stopover wetland habitats also benefits countless other species and supports the ecosystem services dragonflies provide.