A profusion of colourful dragonflies appeared around waterways.

Extensive rain has allowed plants and wildlife to flourish, providing plenty of food for insects.

But conditions also have been favourable for pests, including mice and locusts, which will help them survive winter and lead to a plague next summer, according to experts.

University of South Australia biology professor Chris Daniels says the prevalence of a green tinge in March signals a very healthy environment.

Increased River Murray water flows in early summer led to an inundation of frogs in the Riverland, where water spilt on to surrounding wetlands and caused a frog breeding frenzy.Source:News Corp Australia

“The whole ecosystem is rich and it’s great for wildlife,” he said.

“There are lots dragonflies, moths, butterflies, spiders ... lots of frog activity.

“But we’ve heard there may be a locust plague next year because there a lot more that would survive this year, and also a risk of a mice plague.”

The hot spells didn’t reduce bee numbers, rather they were known to hide in the hives when the mercury hit 40C and helped to pollinate flowers.Source:AP

The Bureau of Meteorology said the 2016-17 summer was the third wettest
on record with total rainfall of 167.4mm — the wettest was 172.8mm at West
Tce in 1924-25. The Adelaide Hills and suburbs have recorded more than double their summer average rainfall, although mean temperatures were about average.

North Adelaide, for example, recorded 163mm of rainfall this summer compared with its average of 70.5mm, while Lobethal received 228.9mm compared with its 90.7mm average.

Arachnids, like deadly redback spiders, love warm, moist weather.Source:Supplied

Paper wasps are native to South Australia, with the queen making a hive with eight to 10 chambers and laying an egg in each chamber.Source:News Limited

SA Museum discovery centre manager Mike Gemmell says bees may be doing it tough with the rain and pollination may be in decline.

“Bees tend to hide in hives when the rain comes and feed on food they have stored,” he said.

“As food source depletes, they probably get hungry during winter.”

Mouse plagues usually follow a year of high grain production, particularly with heavy early or late-season rain.Source:Supplied

Mr Gemmell says the wet summer had put plants in “active growth”.

“Insects are also very active feeding on this plant growth,” he said.

“And, if there’s an increase in insects, there would be an increase of spiders, predatory insects, such as praying mantis, as well as insect-eating birds.”

Originally published as Big wet creates critter frenzy