Fall dragonflies are very active here lately when their flights aren’t cancelled due to rain. They arguably are the world’s best flyers. Their four wings can work independently or in tandem. They can fly fast or slowly; up or down; forward, backward, or side-to-side; not to mention that they also can hover in place. The relative lift, load-bearing capacity, speed, and maneuverability that they get from their unique wings seem to be unmatched.
White-Faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum)
The structure, composition, and interplay of those wings are being studied by researchers who are associated with developing “micro air vehicles” (MAVs) for military and other uses. MAVs are tiny “unmanned aerial vehicles” (UAVs, such as drones). There are reports of current workable MAVs that are less than 2 inches in length.
Dragonfly wings are composed primarily of veins and membranes. They have complex designs that contribute to the insect’s flying abilities in ways that are yet to be fully understood. The vein structure is held together by a very thin film of a starch-like substance called chitin (“KITE-in”), which often is glassy looking.
Seaside Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax berenice
(Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on September 14, 2023.)