Why do moths have their wings covered in powder?
Why does removing the wing powder coating render them unable to fly?
If lost, can the coating be re-installed to restore flight ability?
Why do butterflys not need such dust on their wings?
2007-10-08 15:36:39 · 3 answers · asked by malancam55 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
the powder or dust is actually scales that flake and grow continually
also the dust might also be pollen but that does not usually affect flight abilities
the scales retain stability
butterflies do not need this because their wings are one solid piece of four sections
a moth is able to reconnects broken wings but butterflies cannot
2007-10-08 17:49:39 · answer #1 · answered by filldwth? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The scales also come loose so that if they fly into a spider's web they may be able to get off, leaving some scales behind. Normally they won't lose a lot of scales at once, so this is a relatively small risk, offset by the benefit of not being a spider's dinner.
2007-10-08 23:53:58 · answer #2 · answered by Howard H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not powder, it is tiny scales that grow on their wings and give them rigitity.
http://www.insects.org/class/patterns/index.html
2007-10-08 22:43:31 · answer #3 · answered by kcpaull 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋