LITTLE SECRETS IN THE WINGS OF BUTTERFLIES

Considering the kind of environment in which butterflies flourish, it is expected that they would find flying around difficult. This is because their wings are so soft and light that even little dust particles or water droplets can make their wings heavy for them.

Surprisingly, though, the butterflies are mostly observed clean and dry. What’s the big secret? Let’s consider the Giant Blue Morpho butterflies.

Like other butterflies, these Morpho butterflies have wings that look flat and feel extremely smooth. However, research confirms that they are structured in layers, in step-by-step pattern. In addition to the step-by-step arrangement, each layer has grooves or open lines, just like gutters dug in the ground. This efficient design makes it possible and easy for any dirt or water moisture to fall away.

To understand this more clearly, think of this illustration: What could happen if a small ball the height (or diameter) of a CD is kept on top of roofing sheets that are about 2 cm in width and are arranged on top of one another so that they form a kind of stairs. And what if the sheets were covered with soft goat hair and still form the grooves on the roofing sheets? The fact that the ball will definitely roll down the structure immediately reveals just how dust particles can’t remain on the wings of butterflies.

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