A dragonfly is an insect belonging to the order Odonata, infraorder Anisoptera from Greek á¼âýÃÂ¹ÃÆÃ¿Ãâ anisos, `unequal` and Ãâ¬ÃâõÃÂÃÅý pteron, `wing`, because the hindwing is broader than the forewing. Adult dragonflies are characterized by large, multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, sometimes with coloured patches, and an elongated body. Dragonflies are predators, both in their aquatic larval stage, when they are known as nymphs or naiads, and as adults. Several years of their lives are spent as nymphs living in fresh water; the adults may be on the wing for just a few days or weeks.
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