A dragonfly can fly forward, backward, sideways, and hover in one spot.

The longer version

Flight control comes from having two pairs of wings that move independently. Each wing has its own muscles, so the insect can vary angle, timing, and beat on each side separately, producing useful lift on both the downstroke and the upstroke. The wings are stiffened by veins and twist slightly rather than folding.

That independence allows a dragonfly to brake, reverse, hover, or drop sideways without turning around first. A long body helps balance, and huge compound eyes covering much of the head track prey during manoeuvres. Forward-facing legs form a basket for snatching insects on the wing.

Where this entry sits

This collection gathers small wonders from the world of ants, bees, butterflies, beetles, and spiders. Expect surprising details about swarms, silk, and metamorphosis, plus the strange everyday abilities of creatures small enough to fit on a fingertip. The full list sits on the Insects and Spiders page, where every entry is listed in order.