Three southern species of dragonflies and damselflies have been recorded in New Brunswick as climate change shifts species' ranges northward [1].
This movement signals a broader ecological transition in Canada. As warming temperatures make northern territories more habitable for southern insects, the arrival of these species may disrupt existing local ecosystems and push native insects further north.
Zoologist John Klymko identified the new arrivals as the scarlet bluet, Martha's pennant, and eastern amberwing [1]. These insects are typically found in warmer, more southern climates but are now establishing populations within the province [1].
"Climate change has brought new species such as scarlet bluet, Martha's pennant, and eastern amberwing to New Brunswick," Klymko said [1].
The shift is not merely an addition of new biodiversity. Klymko said that while southern species move in, some native species may retreat from the region [1]. This cycle of arrival and departure reflects the volatility of habitats under current climatic trends, a process that alters the predatory and prey dynamics of the province's wetlands.
Dragonflies and damselflies serve as critical indicators of environmental health. Because they rely on both aquatic and terrestrial environments to complete their life cycles, their presence or absence provides a direct map of how temperature changes affect water and air quality [1].
“Climate change has brought new species such as scarlet bluet, Martha's pennant, and eastern amberwing to New Brunswick.”
The migration of these insects into New Brunswick is a tangible example of 'range shifting,' where species move to higher latitudes to maintain their required temperature envelopes. This process can lead to 'ecological shuffling,' where the arrival of new competitors and predators potentially displaces native species that cannot adapt or migrate as quickly, fundamentally changing the province's biological makeup.
