When you touch the wing of a butterfly or moth, some dust seems to rub off on your fingers.
This dust is made up of tiny scales. Butterfly wings are clear but covered with tiny scales. These scales serve several functions. They create the beautiful color patterns we see, they help in absorbing or reflecting sunlight.
Since these scales fall off so easily they help the butterflies when predators try to have a snack.
While I’m on the subject of butterflies, a collective name for a group of butterflies is called a ‘Kaleidoscope’. However, others have called it a ‘Swarm’ or ‘Rabble’.
Also, the collective name for a group of caterpillars is ‘an army’.
by Eddie the Emu
