Fastest flying insect

Acceptable modern experiments have established that the highest maintainable airspeed of any insect, including the deer bot-fly (Cephenemyia pratti), hawk moths (Sphingidae), horseflies (Tabanus bovinus) and some tropical butterflies (Hesperiidae), is 39 km/h (24 mph), rising to a maximum of 58 km/h (36 mph) for the Australian dragonfly Austrophlebia costalis for short bursts.  In 1917 a speed of 98.6 km/h (61.3 mph) was recorded for an Australian dragonfly of the species Austrophlebia costalis over a distance of 73-82 m (240-270 ft), but this was ground velocity. The maximum airspeed attained by this dragonfly is 58 km/h (36 mph), making it one of the swiftest fliers in the insect world.