Large eyes in the form of hemispheres are located on the sides of the butterfly's head. Scientists have found that these insects are better at distinguishing between moving and closely spaced objects. But instead of stationary elements in the distance, they see only blurry silhouettes.
Instructions
Step 1
The butterfly eye itself is a unique structure, a kind of combination of many small faceted eyes. On average, one butterfly's eye contains 17355 facets, but there are insects with this number reaching 60,000. Most butterflies also have simple eyes that are located behind the antennae.
Step 2
Moths have a total of 1,300 facets. Such a small amount is explained by the fact that vision is less important for them. In space, moths navigate with the help of antennae, which play the role of orientation sensors. If the antennae are removed from the moth, then it will not be able to go around obstacles. However, moths distinguish light well, and fly towards it - moths fluttering around lamps and lanterns are a kind of proof of this.
Step 3
This structure of the eye leads to the fact that the whole world of the butterfly sees not even, smooth, but as if laid out in the form of a mosaic. Scientists have proven an interesting feature of this type of insect: it turns out that in butterflies of the genus Heliconius, the color of the wings is directly related to the fact that insects are able to distinguish ultraviolet waves. There are small yellow spots on the wings of these butterflies. They either absorb or do not absorb ultraviolet light, depending on the presence of a particular gene in the butterfly. And it is precisely by these spots, as scientists assume, that butterflies are able to separate one type from another in order to meet an individual of a kind for reproduction.
Step 4
In general, vision and reproduction in butterflies are connected in the most direct way. The male, when flapping his wings, lures the female, as the pattern of his wings folds in her eyes into an attractive mosaic. Thus, the female butterfly is essentially hypnotized by the male.
Step 5
Vision for butterflies, of course, is important, but not at all as it is for humans. With the help of the eyes, the butterfly is practically unable to determine the distance to the object, since these insects are extremely myopic. However, this moment is successfully compensated by the fact that butterflies are able to see 360 degrees around themselves, both in the vertical and in the horizontal plane. Unlike other insects, they also perceive red tones.
