2006-07-16 10:35:32 · 15 answers · asked by Gil 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
only if you are harsh or take off the fine powder coating on their wings.. If you gently touch one and it flys away, then it will be fine.
Normally kids can kill butterflies because they don't know about delicate things yet.
2006-07-16 10:38:25 · answer #1 · answered by Mama R 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The upper (more colorful) sides of their wings are covered with very fine, powder-like scales that can easily rub off, making them unable to fly, which means certain death. It is actually possible to CAREFULLY pick them up by lightly pinching the wings when folded together, but I don't recommend it unless you REALLY know what you are doing... or if you just want to maim a butterfly.
2006-07-16 13:10:17 · answer #2 · answered by snake_girl85 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People only say that to other people, especially children, that touching a butterflie's wings will kill it. Well, you can touch it, but just delicately. Very delicately. But if you touch it harder, it will probably die. Well, actually, it won't be able to fly and reach flowers and will die of starvation or won't be able to escape and get eaten. Or stepped on.
2006-07-16 10:46:04 · answer #3 · answered by picsnap 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I am unable to make them immortal just by a touch...
ok.. I guess you meant will they die sooner than if I had not touched them...maybe... if you are VERY GENTLE with them and do not brush off the fine hairs/cells.. whatever it is... then they can fly off and be just fine..
Butterfly wings are VERY FRAGILE... but.. sometimes you can actually grab one quite roughly and it will fly off ok... I'm not sure that if you did that to a monarch butterfly that it would be able to migrate to south america.. but it will not die right away.
2006-07-16 10:45:25 · answer #4 · answered by ♥Tom♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think they die right away, but I do know that when you touch them, you are rubbing the powder-like substance that covers their wings, making it unable to fly...so yes they will eventually die
2006-07-16 10:39:05 · answer #5 · answered by yoohoosusie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you touch a butterflies wings it can't fly then once it doesn't get enough food, it will die.
2006-07-16 10:42:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, so keep yer grubby hands off my buttafinger!
2006-07-16 14:59:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no but if you damage them it makes it easier to be killed by a preditor or die.
2006-07-17 13:21:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you have a contagious disease, or if you were to squash it when you touch it then no..
2006-07-16 11:49:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well no it won't die immediatly ,but they wont be able to die that will cause them death later
2006-07-16 10:41:53 · answer #10 · answered by hamza a 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋