Dragonfly_wing_composite

Shows two structural features enlarged, the nodus and the pterostigma. The 'nodus' stiffens the leading-edge of the wing by imposing a zig-zag fold. The golden-coloured section at the leading edge of the wing is called the 'pterostigma' and acts as extra weight to dampen wing vibrations during gliding. It can increase the gliding speed by ~20%. It also may control wing deformation during flapping to increase efficiency.

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