how is this possible to have transparent wings?
2007-06-10 05:23:11 · 3 answers · asked by The Unknown Soldier 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
They are made of chitin, the same material as their exoskeleton.
They are very thin so the material's own colour doesn't come into effect. They can be so thin and light and yet stable because of their lattice construction, which brings together minimum weight with maximum stability and performance.
You will recall that not only tropical butterflies have transparent wings. Bees, Wasps, Flies, Gnats - all have transparent wings, too.
2007-06-10 10:15:03 · answer #1 · answered by travelhun 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Their wings are not really transparent, they are made up of very fine scales, very probably faintly coloured, but to us they appear transparent. In ultra-violet light there probably is a pattern?, a further note is that each species of moth and butterfly have a different scale shape.
2007-06-10 05:35:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you got me there!i have no idea!!lol!
2007-06-10 05:32:32 · answer #3 · answered by ....FED UP............ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋