Butterflies flutter and flap

 Just how do Butterflies fly? Scientists have figured it out!

There are many ways for a creature to fly. Birds and insects all have different methods of taking to the air, just like propellor-driven aircraft and jets have different methods of propulsion and movement through the sky. In the case of butterflies however, scientists have long wondered at how they actually use their wings. Butterfly wings are very large compared to their bodies, which are small and thin. In addition, butterfly wings are broad and flexible. For a long time entomologists were unable to figure out exactly how butterfly wings functioned, until recently. Some Swedish scientists tested the hypothesis that these insects 'clap' their wings. It turns out through creating model butterflies whose wings function like the real insect, that butterfly wings do clap and because they are flexible, push air backwards, which propels the butterflies forward. Bird and bat wings push air downwards and 'flap', rather than 'clap'. The Swedish entomologists believe that they butterflies evolved this method of flying to better escape from predators. However they do it, butterflies are beautiful insects that make us feel like spring and summer is coming when we see them!

Question: Would you like to learn to fly? 

Scientists have finally worked out how butterflies fly