Meet the Insects With Eyes That Cover Their Entire Head Who Pre-date the Dinosaurs

Dragonflies don’t just have a cool name. They are one of the most incredible insects on the planet. In this amazing clip, we see them up close and learn some awesome facts. There are more than 5,000 species of dragonflies on earth today, but they pre-date the dinosaurs. Moreover, their compound eyes cover their entire head, so they only have one tiny blind spot – directly behind them. That’s practically 360-degree vision. Check out the fantastic clip right now.

Watch the Awesome Dragonfly in Action

How Fast Can Dragonflies Fly?

These guys are some of the strongest flyers in the insect world. They can reach speeds of up to 34 mph, and many species can cruise at around ten mph. That is nowhere near the speed some other insects reach, including the horsefly, which can reach 90 miles per hour. But what dragonflies lack in speed, they make up for in agility. If you’ve ever seen one darting across the surface of a pool, then you’ll know how quickly they can change direction. Dragonflies can fly upwards, downwards, and from side to side, and even hover in one place. This is because they have two sets of wings that move independently.

They also have a structure at the end of each wing, which acts as a weight and helps stabilize them during flight. Each of their wings is powered by a muscle, allowing them to adjust the wing shape, angle, and movement.

Where Do Dragonflies Normally Live?

Dragonflies are found on every continent except for Antarctica. You will always spot them near bodies of water such as ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers. They are large insects and not easy to miss. Some species are up to 5 inches long. They have six legs and two pairs of wings with a wingspan of up to 6 inches. When it comes to colors, they are very variable, but they are often brightly colored with iridescent or metallic-looking wings.

Do Dragonflies Sting or Bite?

Dragonflies do not have a sting. They do have spines but are unlikely to cause injury to a human. There is no doubt that they can bite. They catch their food by biting it and have sharp and pointy jaws. However, they are so tiny that they cannot cause an injury to a human. If one bites you, it may hurt a little, but it is unlikely to break your skin or make you bleed.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Reno Abimanyu/Shutterstock.com