Pump, pump
The butterfly pumps blood
from its body to the veins
in its soft wings. This allows
the wings to expand
to their full size.Ready for takeoff
The wings reach full size in about
30 minutes, but they still have to
harden. About an hour later, the
butterfly is ready to take to the air
in search of food. Butterflies do not
eat leaves. They drink nectar from
their favorite flowers instead.Red rain
As the butterfly dries
out, waste fluid is
squirted from its body.
In some species, such
as the painted lady, this
fluid is red. If a group of
butterflies emerge from
their pupae at the same
time, it looks as though
it is raining blood onto
the ground below!Once the wings have reached
full size, the butterfly opens
and closes them until they
are completely dry.US_038-039_The_perfect_insect.indd 39 11/10/17 3:34 pm