Wings- venation & scales
Wings Venation
All butterflies and moths( except Plume moths) have 2 pairs of overlapping wings, each comprised of a very thin double membrane with rigidity supplied by a network of tubular veins which radiate from the base of the wings. The pattern of veins is different for every genus of butterfly, and is one of the main criteria used by taxonomists when classifying butterflies.
Scales
The wing membranes are transparent, but are partially or fully covered in a dust-like layer of tiny coloured scales. Each scale comprises of a flat plate arising from a single cell on the wing surface.
Hearing organs
Some butterflies, can detect sound, using an " ear " near the base of the underside of their wings. The ear can only be seen with the aid of a powerful microscope. It takes the form of a funnel shaped sac, covered with a very thin membrane. This vibrates in response to high frequency sound, and stimulates nerve cells called scolopidia, which send a message to the butterfly ' s brain.
Flight
Insect flight evolved at least 90 million years ago, long before it appeared in birds or bats, so its original function must have been for something other than predator avoidance. The most likely explanation is that it evolved to enable insects to reach food sources by the most direct and rapid route. What is not currently understood is the method by which the evolution took place.
Thermo-regulation
Butterflies are cold-blooded. If they are too cold they cannot fly. If they get too hot they become dehydrated and die. They have no internal means of regulating their body temperature, so they need to use behavioral strategies instead.
Resource: http:// www. learnaboutbutterflies. com / Anatomy % 203. htm
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