dragonflies actually spend a considerable amount of time (months to years, depending on species) living under water as nymphs (larva) before they emerge. they existed with the dinosaurs. male dragonflies have two sets of genitalia. they can fly forward, backwards, up, down, upside down, and hover over a spot. all its four wings can move independently of each other. maximum flight speed is thought to be around 40 km/h (ca 25 mph), although claims for 85 km/h (ca 53 mph) have been made.
dragonflies are the most efficient predators in the animal world with 95% success rate (compare to 25% for lions, or 50% for sharks).