Aren't dragonflies the most precise predators in the world? Like if they want to catch something they have like a 95% success rate.
this post was submitted on 29 Jul 2024
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Yeah, I wouldn't mind getting invaded.
🤔
My understanding is that the sort of dragonflies that perch and wait can get those numbers, but the sort that fly around looking for prey have not been studied (perchers versus hawkers). Still, articles like this just make the claim without distinction: https://www.nps.gov/articles/species-spotlight-dragonflies.htm
From Royal Society Publishing 2016:
The percher dragonflies have impressive prey capture success rates from 83% to 97% [98,103] as observed in the field and in the greenhouse laboratory environment.
There have been all kinds of studies on their wing shape, rigidity, flight speed, how and which neurons respond to stimuli, and how ancient they are. The thing I find intriguing is that their flight muscles are ... basically exposed and wired to the eyes. That's an over simplification, though.
From CalTech via PNAS 2012:
the integration of signals and calculation of motor output seem to occur at the thoracic ganglia, and not in the brain
also:
dragonflies are the only insect group that exclusively sport direct wing muscles, allowing independent control of both sets of wings
Check out the pic from U of S. Florida:
That's amazing, thanks!