How do Butterflies Get Colors?

Butterflies are not just beautiful creatures; their colors serve many functions. This episode explores the biology behind butterfly hues, the importance of color in communication and survival, and the fascinating ways these insects thrive in their environments.

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Episode Transcript

I Wonder Podcast (00:03):
Hey there, curious minds.
Welcome to another episode of"I Wonder, the show where we
explore the questions you'vebeen wondering about.
Today's question comes from Zia,who asked why do butterflies
have so many colors?
What a beautiful question, Zia.
Butterflies are like nature'sartwork and their stunning

(00:24):
colors aren't just for show.
They serve some pretty amazingpurposes.
Let's take a closer look at whybutterflies are so colorful and
how these vibrant patterns helpthem survive and thrive.
Let's dive in to understand whybutterflies have so many colors

(00:54):
.
We first need to learn howthese colors are created.
A butterfly's wings are coveredin tiny overlapping scales, and
these scales play a crucial rolein how colors appear.
Some colors come from pigmentsin the scales, similar to how
plants get their green colorfrom chlorophyll.
But the most dazzling hues,like shimmering blues and

(01:18):
metallic greens, come fromsomething called structural
coloration.
Structural coloration happenswhen microscopic structures on
the scales bend and reflectlight, splitting it into
different colors.
It's the same phenomenon thatcreates the rainbow on a soap

(01:39):
bubble or on the shiny surfaceof a CD.
This unique combination ofpigments and light reflection
gives butterflies their vibrantand diverse palettes.
The scales on a butterfly'swings are also incredibly
delicate.
If you've ever seen the powderysubstance that comes off when

(01:59):
you touch a butterfly.
Those are tiny scales rubbingaway.
This fragility is one reasonit's important to admire
butterflies without handlingthem.
But how do butterflies see color?
Butterflies don't see the worldthe same way we do.
They see it in even greaterdetail.

(02:22):
See it in even greater detail.
Humans have three types ofcolor-detecting cells in our
eyes, called cones, which allowus to see red, green and blue.
Butterflies, on the other hand,have five or even six type of
cones.
This means they can see colorswhen we can't, including

(02:45):
ultraviolet light.
These ultraviolet patterns onbutterfly wings aren't visible
to us but are critical forbutterfly communication.
They help butterflies identifyeach other, find mates and even
deter rivals.
For example, some butterflieshave ultraviolet markings that

(03:09):
guide pollinators to the nectarin flowers.
It's like a secret code onlybutterflies can understand.
Butterfly eyes are also highlysensitive to motion.
Their compound eyes, made up ofthousands of tiny lenses, give
them a wide field of vision.

(03:30):
Imagine having a panoramic viewof the world where you can see
colors humans can't even imagine.
That's how butterfliesexperience life.
Can butterflies hear with theirwings?
This might sound surprising,but some butterflies can detect

(03:51):
sound through their wings.
Scientists have discovered thatcertain butterfly species have
tiny structures on their wingscalled tympanal organs.
These organs act like ears,picking up vibrations in the air
.
While butterflies don't hear inthe same way humans do, they

(04:12):
can sense low-frequency soundssuch as the wingbeats of
predators like birds.
This ability to detect soundhelps butterflies stay safe.
If they sense an approachingpredator, they can take off and
escape before being caught.
It's yet another example of howbutterflies use their wings for

(04:32):
more than just flying they'retools for survival.
Why do butterflies need color?
Butterflies use their colorsfor several important reasons,
all tied to survival.
One of the biggest reasons iscamouflage.
Some butterflies have patternsthat blend perfectly with their

(04:54):
surroundings, making it hard forpredators like birds to spot
them.
For example, the dead leafbutterfly's wings look just like
a dried leaf when folded,allowing it to disappear in
plain sight.
Another key reason is warningpredators.
Bright, bold colors like red,orange and yellow often signal

(05:20):
danger in the animal kingdom.
Some butterflies, like themonarch, have these colors to
warn predators that they aretoxic.
Monarch caterpillars feed onmilkweed, which contains
chemicals that make them tastebad or even poisonous.
To predators, these vibrantcolors are like a do-not-eat

(05:42):
sign, which keeps them safe.
Colors also play a huge role inbutterfly romance.
Many butterfly species usetheir colorful patterns to
attract mates.
Male butterflies often havemore vivid colors or iridescent
scales that reflect light,making them stand out.

(06:02):
These colors signal topotential mates that they're
healthy and strong, increasingtheir chance of passing on their
genes.
In some species, the patternson a butterfly's wings act like
a secret code.
Certain markings helpbutterflies recognize members of
their own species, so theydon't accidentally try to mate

(06:24):
with the wrong kind of butterfly.
It's like nature's version of aname tag saying hey, I'm one of
you.
Mimicry the great butterflytrick.
One of the most fascinatinguses of color in butterflies is
mimicry, where they imitate theappearance of other species.

(06:45):
Some butterflies copy thepatterns of toxic or
unappetizing butterflies, eventhough they themselves are
harmless.
This trick fools predators intoleaving them alone because they
think the mimic is the onethat's dangerous to eat.
For example, the viceroybutterfly looks almost identical

(07:07):
to the toxic monarch butterfly,confusing predators and keeping
both species safe.
What about night butterflies?
Not all butterflies arebrightly colored.
Some, like moths, tend to haveduller colors, like browns and
grays.
This is because most moths areactive at night and don't rely

(07:30):
on bright colors to attractmates or warn predators.
Instead, their muted tones helpthem to blend into their
surroundings during the day,when they're resting.
So, zia, why do butterflieshave so many colors?
It all comes down to survival.
Their colors help them to blendin, warn predators, attract

(07:54):
mates and even trick otheranimals.
Whether it's a shimmering bluewing, a clever disguise or a
secret ultraviolet signal, everypattern serves a purpose.
Every pattern serves a purpose.
Butterflies are like nature'slittle masterpieces, combining

(08:17):
beauty and function in the mostamazing ways.
Thanks again to Zia for such acolorful question.
And remember, if you have aquestion you're curious about,
submit it on our websiteiwonderpodcast.
com, and we might just featureit in our next episode of I
Wonder.
Until next time, stay curiousand keep wondering.