A high school friend celebrated birthdays by inviting the class to the movies. One of these afternoons, the choice fell on Bernardo and Bianca. The Disney animation followed two mice who, with the help of swamp animals, tried to save an orphan from the clutches of the evil Madame Medusa. Among the characters was a dragonfly capable of propelling, with the frenzy of its wings, a leaf which served as a vessel. It was called Evinrude – a funny name because it was also a famous brand of outboard motors.
My father, who was good at drawing, began depicting the character at my request, filling white sheets with dragonflies performing acrobatics. I, who was afraid of insects, ended up loving showers: I saved them from the pool when they fell and I grew up believing that a summer sky full of them was a sure sign of rain. When I saw them flying in a group in the garden, I ran to check on the other “weather service” in the house: the weather boat, a glass object that changed color depending on the weather. You couldn’t touch it, it would lose its magic. All that remained was to observe and compare the prognosis with the ballet of the aguacis.
I always thought waterflies were the ones with sturdy bodies and dragonflies were thinner, with turquoise tails. I later discovered that in everyday language we treat different things the same way: aguacis (dragonflies) and devil’s caballitos are distinct species within odonates. A visible difference lies in rest: dragonflies keep their wings open; caballitos of the devil, closed. In both cases, the wings are a marvel of bioengineering: transparent membranes, ribs like calligraphy, strength in weightlessness.
But is there a scientific basis for the “rain warning”? This is neither an absolute yes nor an absolute no. Experts say dragonflies fly more on hot days and avoid heavy rain, which harms aerodynamics and visibility. In strong winds, devil’s caballitos tend not to fly; dragonflies, more robust, tolerate it better. Before the rain, many leave the body of water where they live and reduce their flights.
What about atmospheric pressure? There are old studies suggesting a relationship, but without conclusive evidence. The most common consensus is indirect: warm, humid air increases the activity of smaller insects, which changes the dragonflies’ hunting pattern – and this usually coincides with conditions preceding rain.
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