'ODONATA ANISOPTERA' | The Dragonfly

| Mixed Media |
 
FLIGHT DYNAMICS
The dragonfly is one of natures most impressive flyers. Some can fly at speeds up to 35 mph, decelerate from 35-0 mph in less than a second, and fly backwards.
First dragonfly use aerodynamic drag instead of  aerodynamic lift to propel themselves through the air. They flap their wings up and down perpendicularly to the direction of flight.
Another unique attribute of dragonfly flight is that they have two sets of wings each separately controlled. This attribute is what makes them exceptionally agile. 
 
| Flight Dynamics of Dragonflies | Bio-aerial Locomotion 2011 (bu.edu) |