Red-bodied dew-covered dragonfly on purple flowers

Dragonflies are among the most ancient insects on Earth, their ancestors' fossils dating back over 300 million years (some were as long as your forearm—yikes!). Their flight is a marvel of natural engineering: With their four delicate-looking yet powerful wings—each pair controlled independently—they can hover, glide, and even fly backward. The loosestrife this dragonfly lit upon is a common wetland plant, often found near ponds and marshes where dragonflies reproduce—alongside their prey, including mosquitoes and other small insects. Dragonflies are not only skilled hunters, their presence is also an indicator of environmental health, since they rely on very clean water to breed and on a balanced ecosystem to feed.