Balkan goldenring — Cordulegaster heros Theischinger

Dragonflies are among the oldest known insects. Their ancestors lived on the Earth more than 300 million years ago. Some of these insects had incredible proportions; with a wing span of 70 cm, they were the largest insects that ever existed.

The National Museum hosts a large collection of dragonflies from the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The most notable species on display is the Balkan goldenring (Cordulegaster heros), a species endemic to southeastern Europe and the largest dragonfly on the continent. It was found in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first time in 2007, thanks to researchers from the National Museum. Ever since, this fascinating species, increasingly endangered by watercourse regulation and deforestation, has been the subject of intense study.