Page 32 - Engineering in Nature

Engineering in Nature

caterpillars hatch, they tear
apart the sac and continue
their development by spin-
ning new ones. 7

These creatures enjoy com-
plete success in what they do. They
can detect and immediately recognize
Barred Sulphur butterfly
the scent of their own species, even
from several kilometers away. Even with modern technology, it is im-
possible for any human being or machine to detect a scent from that
distance. Nevertheless, insects only 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 inch) long can
use special receptors in their bodies to detect smells. God has created
these animals with their perfect systems. God, Who creates incompa-
rably, is all-powerful.
The Barred Sulphur butterfly, with striking patterns on its wings,
is one of the most common species in Florida. Through the edges of
the top part of the males' front wings passes a black line that is absent
in females. The male has scent scales in this black line, which exude a
special perfume to attract the females to where he is. 8
On the head of the male lo moth are hair-like sensors, the source of
the moth's perfect scent recognition ability that lets it locate a mate
from up to 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) away. 9

• The General Characteristics of Pheromones
In some insect species, sex hormones are released at specific times
of day. For instance, Sporganothis pilleriana butterflies always release
their sex pheromones between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The female
honeybee, Apis mellifera, releases her sex pheromone throughout the

course of her life. After she mates, this pheromone prevents the bees

30