Hello, I'm an expert in entomology, the scientific study of insects. When it comes to the question of whether a dragonfly can swim, it's important to understand that dragonflies are insects with six legs and typically two pairs of wings. They are primarily adapted for flying and are known for their agility and speed in the air. However, they are not adapted for swimming in the same way that aquatic animals are.

Dragonflies are usually found near water because their larvae, known as nymphs, are aquatic and live in water bodies. The adult dragonflies do not swim but are capable of landing on water surfaces, either to rest or to lay eggs. They can walk on water due to the surface tension and their lightweight bodies, but this is not the same as swimming.

In summary, while dragonflies are associated with water and have some ability to interact with the water surface, they do not swim in the traditional sense.

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The adult stage of larger species of dragonfly can last as long as five or six months. Dragonflies experience incomplete metamorphosis: the nymphs (called naiads) swim and live underwater, like fish. The female dragonfly lays her fertilized eggs near or right in the water.read more >>