How do butterflies flit?

[Richard Grace]

Many thanks for the info.  I still find it all amazing.  What fantastic creatures.
All our sophistication has not produced anything quite as versatile yet.

Richard Grace

Richard Worth wrote:

> Hi Richard,
>
> Dump that book if you still have it and get a butterfly biology book.  Kidding.
> Butterflies and moths have evolved tiny, deciduous scales, actually
> believed to be modified hairs, to cover the wing surface.  These are
> your "feathers" and also the "butterfly dust" you may have got on
> your fingers from handling them as a kid.  They do not really control
> the flight patterns, since there are no muscle attachments to these
> scales.  But they do have many significant purposes.  One of course
> is the colors and patterns they create, either to hide from or
> frighten enemies, warning coloration to advertise "bad taste" to a
> predator, or for mate recognition.  They also are like shingles on a
> roof and allow water to roll off.  Another use for protection against
> predators is by sluffing (sloughing ?) off scales if attacked.  It
> not only helps them escape because they are slippery, but scales can
> cause serious irritation to the esophagus, trachea, eyes, and other
> mucous membranes.  I have also heard that some people have allergic
> reactions to them as well.  The scales lay flat and may help reduce
> wind drag over the wing surface, though.
>
> Most moths don't seem to flit much, though some do.  Most have more
> of a constant wing beat and some even hum or buzz and look like
> bumblebees or hummingbirds.  Butterflies are more known for the
> "flitting" action.  The pattern of the flitting can actually be
> characteristic of certain groups, or even species, of butterflies.
> It is genetically hardwired.  The insects actually control their
> flight by changing the angle of attack of the leading edge of the
> forewing to the air and also steering with the hindwings.  Slow
> motion photography shows this very well.  It actually looks like a
> wave motion with the forewing rolling down and forward first and then
> up and back.  If you pay close attention to the butterfly flight
> patterns you will start to see the differences.  Satyrids have the
> most bouncing, bobbing flight and are generally slow; nymphalids
> often have a powerful, erratic flight when startled but can have a
> repeated "flit-flit-glide" pattern when patrolling; Colias sulphurs
> often have a fast, close to the ground zig-zaging flight;  skippers
> get their name from their flight;  swallowtails have a classic
> fluttering---actually there may not be a more beautiful sight on the
> planet than one of the giant, irridescent birdwing species from New
> Guinea or the Solomon Is. in slow, hovering flight.---And Monarchs
> are the pros at taking a few flaps and gliding like the best hang
> gliders in the world.
> So that's "Scales and Flight 101" in a nutshell.  It's more complex
> than this but that's volumes of literature.
> Cheers,  Rich
>
> >I read a book when I was a child about how moths and butterflies can
> >flit.  From memory they have tiny "feathers" on their wings which act as
> >
> >"flaps" and by controlling them they can dramatically change their drag
> >on the top or either side which allows them to flit.
> >
> >Are my recollections correct - or even close?
> >
> >If not -  how do they flit.
> >
> >Richard Grace
> >
> >
> >
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>
> Richard A. Worth
> Oregon Department of Agriculture
> Plant Division
> rworth at oda.state.or.us
> (503) 986-6461
>
>
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