A new study by Columbia and Harvard scientists has identified the physiological importance of temperatures for butterfly wings to function properly. Contrary to the common belief that butterfly wings consist primarily of lifeless membranes, the new study demonstrates that they contain a network of living cells needing a range of temperatures for optimal performance. The NSF-funded research has also led to the discovery that these insects regulate their wing temperatures through both structural and behavioral adaptations. Because of their small thermal capacity, wings can overheat rapidly in the sun when butterflies cease flight, and can cool down too much during flight in a cold environment.
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