SPECTACULAR footage has shown a swarm of dragonflies invading a crowded beach, leaving sunbathers screaming and scrambling for cover.
The relaxing Saturday afternoon of many beachgoers was interrupted when the insects took over, forcing people to take shelter.
One man posted a clip on X of the bizarre phenomenon that occurred at Misquamicut State Beach in Rhode Island.
The invasion, which happened on Saturday afternoon, was labeled a "dragonfly apocalypse."
"I was enjoying a nice day at Misquamicut State Beach until we endured a dragonfly apocalypse," Stephanie Martin told Boston ABC affiliate WCVB.
Video showed sunbathers searching for cover as dragonflies began to invade.
Screams could be heard in the footage as people were overwhelmed by the swarm.
Some, however, seemed unbothered by the huge swarm and could be seen standing still and filming on their phones.
Thousands of these tiny insects were seen whizzing through the air.
According to experts, dragonflies migrate south from Canada and the northern US to Mexico and the Gulf Coast, between August and October.
The National Science Foundation said that the dragonflies seen on Saturday, July 27, usually reproduce between July and August.
The particular species of the dragonfly invasion was the common green darner.
"The breeding behavior of males includes their selecting a territory that is attractive to females, which they must defend from other would-be mates," the foundation said.
"Males are often observed holding races over ponds and duel in spectacular aerial battles for the rights to mate with females."
Some social media users even compared the event to a Biblical plague.
"Who had dragonfly plague on their apocalypse bingo?" one X user said.
The species swarmed a Rhode Island beach over the weekend as the insects migrated south. Here are some more facts about the green darner, according to the US National Science Foundation:
"Like a zombie apocalypse," another user commented.
Another user explained that this dragonfly swarm was a "natural phenomenon".
"This year, the migration started earlier, and the sudden appearance of thousands of dragonflies at the beach created a surprising spectacle for beachgoers.
"These swarms are a normal part of the dragonflies' life cycle and migration patterns," he added.
"Dragonflies eat mosquitoes. Other than being annoying sometimes, they are harmless to humans.
"I welcome them," another user said.
