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Dragonflies are master predators, catching up to 95% of the prey they go after.⁠ For comparison, birds of prey only capture around 25%.⁠ Part of dragonflies’ predatorial prowess comes from the aerial acrobatics allowed by having four wings that can work separately, in pairs, or together. Dragonflies can even fly backwards⁠. Each wing is a gossamer extension of the exoskeleton, only about 3 micrometers⁠ thick—a little over 1/10,000th of an inch—yet it can hold up through the weeks to months of a dragonfly’s adult life.

Thinner than a human hair, dragonfly wings are highly durable, with antimicrobial, water-resistant, and anti-reflective properties and more. In a new study, a group of researchers examine a variety of chemical and structural qualities of dragonfly wings (of the species Aethriamanta rezia, shown here) to seek inspiration for human technical innovation. (Photo by mmatthiessen via iNaturalist, CC BY-NC 4.0)

More here:
https://entomologytoday.org/2025/10/14/dragonfly-wings-marvels-strength-durability/