Physical and behavioral adaptations to prevent overheating of the living wings of butterflies

Cheng-Chia Tsai, Richard A. Childers, Norman Nan Shi, Crystal Ren, Julianne N. Pelaez, Gary D. Bernard, Naomi E. Pierce () and Nanfang Yu ()
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Cheng-Chia Tsai: Columbia University
Richard A. Childers: Harvard University
Norman Nan Shi: Columbia University
Crystal Ren: Columbia University
Julianne N. Pelaez: Harvard University
Gary D. Bernard: University of Washington
Naomi E. Pierce: Harvard University
Nanfang Yu: Columbia University

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract The wings of Lepidoptera contain a matrix of living cells whose function requires appropriate temperatures. However, given their small thermal capacity, wings can overheat rapidly in the sun. Here we analyze butterfly wings across a wide range of simulated environmental conditions, and find that regions containing living cells are maintained at cooler temperatures. Diverse scale nanostructures and non-uniform cuticle thicknesses create a heterogeneous distribution of radiative cooling that selectively reduces the temperature of structures such as wing veins and androconial organs. These tissues are supplied by circulatory, neural and tracheal systems throughout the adult lifetime, indicating that the insect wing is a dynamic, living structure. Behavioral assays show that butterflies use wings to sense visible and infrared radiation, responding with specialized behaviors to prevent overheating of their wings. Our work highlights the physiological importance of wing temperature and how it is exquisitely regulated by structural and behavioral adaptations.

Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-14408-8

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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14408-8

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