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Animal Themes
Insects
Invertebrates

Dragonflies

Dragonflies
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 3 to 6
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   7.02

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    despite, mating, midair, rests, ultimate, immediately, devour, underwater, deposit, series, flight, wrinkled, nearly, fastest, backward, unique

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Other Languages
     Spanish: Las Libélulas

Dragonflies   
1     Dragonflies are top-notch pilots. They not only fly fast, but also have excellent control over their maneuvers in midair. When they jet along riverbanks or in wetland areas, they hold out their spiny legs in front to make little baskets for catching flying insects. They do not travel aimlessly, hoping an unlucky bug will somehow fly into their traps. Rather, they know exactly where to go. Dragonflies have two very big compound eyes, covering most of their heads. They see very well, so even the slightest movement will not escape them. As soon as they find a target, they track it down, scoop it up, and devour it. They complete the whole series of actions all while in flight!
 
2     Of course, dragonflies' swiftness and unique build for flight do not go unnoticed. Among all insects, they are the record holders of two titles. The first is for their speed. Dragonflies are the fastest flying insects in the world. As they beat their four long, membranous wings vigorously, they can accelerate up to 60 miles per hour! The second is for their bulging eyes. Dragonflies possess such large eyes that no other insects can even come close to try to challenge the claim. They have a field of vision nearly 360 degrees!

Paragraphs 3 to 4:
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