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Why can the scales on a butterfly’s wings rub off when it is handled?
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Lepidoptera
Heliconius butterfly in South America.
The scales on a butterfly’s wings rub off when handled because they are attached to the wing membrane by a delicate, peglike base. These scales are arranged in overlapping rows, similar to shingles on a roof. Because of this loose, shingle-like attachment, the dustlike scales are easily dislodged when the insect is touched.12
It is important to handle butterflies with extreme care, or avoid handling them altogether, to protect these structures. The scales are essential to the butterfly, as they are responsible for the insect's vibrant colors and patterns through both pigmentation and the refraction of light.1