Body

This Blue Hawker (Aeshna cyanea, above) is one of the most common Dragonflies in Central Europe. It can also be found in almost every garden pond and grows to around seven centimetres in length. At first glance, no other insect looks as perfect a flier as a dragonfly: huge eyes in front of a bulging front body, the thorax. This chest section is the power house: the powerful flight muscles work in it. In large dragonflies, these muscles can account for up to 60 % of the body weight and powerfully propel the huge wings. The front and rear wings of Dragonflies are differently shaped, hence the scientific name Anisoptera (unequal- winged dragonflies).