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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