Why must a newly emerged butterfly or moth wait before flying?

When a butterfly or moth first emerges from its pupa, its wings are not yet ready for flight. Upon emergence, the insect must wait for its wings to expand to their full size.1

This process is essential because the wings begin as folded structures that must be properly unfurled and stabilized. During this time, the insect’s cuticle—the tough outer layer of its exoskeleton—is also undergoing a hardening process known as sclerotization. Until the wings are fully expanded and the body structures have sufficiently stabilized, the insect is in a vulnerable state and unable to fly.23