How do butterflies fly??
Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 7:14 pm
Hi,
I have tried to find an answer to this on the web, but haven't found a satisfactory answer. When you look at a bird the body/wing proportions and the musculature all look reasonable for flying. But to my mind a butterfly does not. The relative sizes of the wings versus body look as though any wing flapping would cause the body to go up and down with little resulting forward movement. Also there seems to be so little space for any muscles to get enough leverage to make the wigs flap.
And finally where do they get the energy to fly for so long without stopping? I know, nectar, but their body chemistry must be fantastically efficient.
Anybody know where I can find some answers?
Thanks
Robin
I have tried to find an answer to this on the web, but haven't found a satisfactory answer. When you look at a bird the body/wing proportions and the musculature all look reasonable for flying. But to my mind a butterfly does not. The relative sizes of the wings versus body look as though any wing flapping would cause the body to go up and down with little resulting forward movement. Also there seems to be so little space for any muscles to get enough leverage to make the wigs flap.
And finally where do they get the energy to fly for so long without stopping? I know, nectar, but their body chemistry must be fantastically efficient.
Anybody know where I can find some answers?
Thanks
Robin