Why the "dust" on butterfly wings?

Answer 1

I was always told that the scales on butterflies and especially moths were a form of stealth technology. Bats are major predators and they find their prey by emitting little chirps and listening for the echos. The fuzzy scales act to absorb and not reflect these sound waves, making it harder for bats to find them in mid air.

Answer 2

Why do butterflies have dust on their wings?

The dust on butterfly wings are modified hairs called scales. The scales have at least 4 functions, not necessarily on the same butterfly species:
(a) They form patterns of bright colors, sometimes with hidden ultraviolet pattern, that are used as signals to the other sex in attraction for mating.
(b) The bright colors are used to advertise particular butterfly's bad tastes to predators. This protects them from being eaten.
(c) The scales may form patterns that help the butterflies blend into their background and thus escape being eaten by birds or other animals by background resemblance.
(d) Dark colors formed by the scales can be used by butterflies to soak up warmth from the sun that allows their bodies to warm up to flight temperatures in cool seasons or cool environments. Remember butterflies are cold-blooded.

http://bsi.montana.edu/web/kidsbutterfly/faq/appearance

Answer 3

They are scales and they are what gives the wings there color so they can attract the same kind of butterfly. They also keep the wings dry so the insect doesn't get so heavy with water that they can'f fly. They also protect them clear membrane underneath them that makes up the wings.

Answer 4

Pollen?

Answer 5

They are the scales, and help them fly.

Answer 6

the little particles are called "scales"

Answer 7

yea i think its just stuff to help them fly, i remember my teacher telling me that wen i was younger and i asked her...

Answer 8

just a guess pollen?