Page 41 - Wonderful Creatures: Children! Have You Ever Thought ?
P. 41

T THE HEATING SYSTEM


           OF THE WINTER MOTH

           When winter comes, many insect species inhabiting cold regions of

           the world die from cold or lack of food. That is because insects are
           delicate creatures, but there are some exceptions to this rule. For

           example, owl moths look like butterflies and at first sight seem
           very delicate. In reality, however, they are strong enough to survi-

           ve tough winter conditions. Therefore these moths are also called
           “winter moths”.


           Like butterflies, a winter moth has two wings and a trunk to which
           these wings are joined. In order for this moth to fly, the tempera-

           ture of its thorax to which its wings are joined should be 30oC
           (86oF). But the temperature where they live is usually 0oC (32oF)

           and even drops below zero degrees from time to time. How can
           winter moths survive such cold? What prevents them from free-

           zing when they are motionless, and what enables them to fly in cold
           weather?

           This moth species is created together with a special heating system

                                           39
   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44   45   46