Question

Which insects have colourful wings?

Answer 1

Hint: Most of the insects contain the wings, as a part of Exoskeleton. The main functions of the wings include protection, visual communication and orientation.

Complete answer:
The insects wings are made up of cuticle , it is a protective integument over the external surface of the insects. The colour present in wings are the Structural colours , The colours appearance is due to the microscopic structures present in the wings.

Butterflies and moths are insects that have colourful wings. The tiny scales present in the wings of butterflies and moths are responsible for colourful patterns. These colours sometimes reflect , when a light passes through the transparent multi-layered surface and they reflect more than once. The microscopic structures are present in two or three layers , they are also responsible for reflection of colours.

Additional Information: Butterflies belong to the order of Lepidoptera and are known as day flying insects with large scaly, brightly coloured wings. Their body contains Head, thorax, and abdomen with six jointed legs , a pair of antennae with knob or club shaped , compound eyes . The wings are attached to the thorax region of the butterflies. The Butterflies feet has little claws , it provides the grip to stand on flowers. Moths are smaller than Butterflies and they have stouter bodies with dull colouring wings. The body of the moth is covered with dust-like scales and contains thick antennae.

Thus, the correct answer is Butterflies and moths.

Note: The colour present in the wings is not due to any production of pigment in the wings . The structural colour in the wings is due to the presence of tiny scales. The moth and butterflies act as pollinators and maintain the Ecosystem.