New thermal images of butterflies revealed that their wings are equipped with living structures such as veins and scent patches that protect them from overheating in the sun. Using infrared hyperspectral imaging technique in more than 50 butterfly species, researchers observed that tube-shaped nanostructures and a thicker layer of chitin, a component of an insect’s exoskeleton, radiates excess heat from living wing tissue. Researchers consider the findings exciting and believe the discovery of this structure in the middle of the wings indicates how crucial it is for the function and health of the scent patches.
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