They take off with no run and rush to the target following all the rules of aerobatic flight. A tracking system with thousands of the most advanced optical devices helps to accurately determine the desired coordinates.
Nothing can prevent these almost flawless assassins from attacking. What is this, some kind of new superweapon? Or creatures from a fantasy thriller who want to conquer our planet?
No, we are talking about well-known regular dragonflies. We tend to admire these spectacular insects with huge eyes, bright bodies, and transparent wings. They could be scarlet, green, or blue. Some shimmer like liquid metal and others look like colored glass or enamel... They seem to embody goodness and beauty.
In fact, these cute flying creatures are one of the most ferocious and successful predators on Earth. Even the names of dragonfly species often reflect their aggressive nature: for example, there are broad-bodied hunters and four-spotted hunters. A prey chased by a dragonfly is most likely doomed. Their hunting success rate is almost 100%, while in lions this figure reaches only 25%, in wolves - 14%, and in bears - 10%.
Do you know how dragonflies managed to excel at killing? This is an absolutely incredible story. The insects’ body structure and life cycle are so unusual that they could well have come from another planet. And even though dragonflies have a terrestrial origin, their world is simply mesmerizing.
Let's dive into this world together and learn more about these amazing creatures - cute and terrible, graceful and armed from head to tail. So familiar, yet so unknown.
How did dragonflies survive the dinosaurs? When were they giants the size of a hawk? And who turned dragonflies into the most advanced superdrones?
Dragonflies.