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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/

@peter4jc said:
Interesting.

If it weren't for gullible people with more money than sense, the whole Kona coffee thing wouldn't exist.

20 some years ago a friend sen to send me Kona coffee, macadamia nuts and cuban cigars the first time I started smoking cigars. I would send him things from the states. One day I told him this wasn't working, you cant go to Cuba and just buy cigars' and Kona coffee is rare around here. His reply was "you can't go to Cuba but most of my family is Asian and we go when we want . As for the Kona coffee he said "nobody here drinks it, people overlook what's in their back yards".

@Amos_Umwhat said:
@CalvinAndHobo , I get that. My Goldwing test ride was, well, nice. Mr. Rogers nice. Smooth, efficient, sanitary. My motivation in buying it was primarily that it was a better transportation system for us, two up. 90% of my riding is two up. Also, the BMW's tall seat was getting to be a bit of a challenge for a couple of 70 year olds.

After I bought it I started making it mine. Ultimate seat and National Cycle's Comfort Bars so I could stretch my legs helped. A lot! I didn't think I'd like the backrest, but I do. And then, the Alaska Leather Sheepskin, much comfort.

I also added a luggage rack to the trunk, which was a more complicated task than I thought. Faye's reaction was great to witness: "You're going to drill holes in a brand new $30k motorcycle? Are you crazy?" I also put a Quiet Works windscreen on in place of the stock. I like the recurve lip, and it is wider than stock. I put adjustable wind deflectors under the mirrors as well, it gets hot down here, and sometimes it's nice to funnel all the wind in my direction.

Lastly, the engine. It's so smooth it feels tame. That's why there's the Sport Mode. I got used to this bike the same way I did with the BMW. I started out in Rain or Econ modes, and then moved up. I don't like surprises in traffic. While I'm almost always in Tour Mode now, all I have to do is flip the switch to Sport and the machine forgets its gentlemanly manners and becomes a beast.

I should add, I do appreciate your comments regarding Indian's future as a stand alone. That was pretty much what I figured would happen to Harley when they left AMF, and it was pretty much what happened to Harley when AMF bought them, although that ultimately turned out to be what saved them long enough for Harley's people to buy themselves back. What I fear will be missing is the passion. Motorcycling is truly all about the passion. Without it, the company, and the industry will die.

Sounds like I'll have to try sport mode on the next test ride before making judgement. If my bike got stolen tomorrow and I had an insurance check, I think I'd start my test riding with the BMW R18 Transcontinental and go from there.

@CalvinAndHobo , I get that. My Goldwing test ride was, well, nice. Mr. Rogers nice. Smooth, efficient, sanitary. My motivation in buying it was primarily that it was a better transportation system for us, two up. 90% of my riding is two up. Also, the BMW's tall seat was getting to be a bit of a challenge for a couple of 70 year olds.

After I bought it I started making it mine. Ultimate seat and National Cycle's Comfort Bars so I could stretch my legs helped. A lot! I didn't think I'd like the backrest, but I do. And then, the Alaska Leather Sheepskin, much comfort.

I also added a luggage rack to the trunk, which was a more complicated task than I thought. Faye's reaction was great to witness: "You're going to drill holes in a brand new $30k motorcycle? Are you crazy?" I also put a Quiet Works windscreen on in place of the stock. I like the recurve lip, and it is wider than stock. I put adjustable wind deflectors under the mirrors as well, it gets hot down here, and sometimes it's nice to funnel all the wind in my direction.

Lastly, the engine. It's so smooth it feels tame. That's why there's the Sport Mode. I got used to this bike the same way I did with the BMW. I started out in Rain or Econ modes, and then moved up. I don't like surprises in traffic. While I'm almost always in Tour Mode now, all I have to do is flip the switch to Sport and the machine forgets its gentlemanly manners and becomes a beast.

I should add, I do appreciate your comments regarding Indian's future as a stand alone. That was pretty much what I figured would happen to Harley when they left AMF, and it was pretty much what happened to Harley when AMF bought them, although that ultimately turned out to be what saved them long enough for Harley's people to buy themselves back. What I fear will be missing is the passion. Motorcycling is truly all about the passion. Without it, the company, and the industry will die.