New Study: Butterfly Wings More Than Just Scales

by Ken Ham on February 6, 2020
Featured in Ken Ham Blog

God’s creation is amazing. Whether we look to the heavens at the massive scale of what he’s made or peer through microscopes to study atoms and molecules, we’re astounded by the complexity and design of his creation. And a new study on butterfly wings is no exception.

Butterfly wings are made up of tiny scales. Don’t get your hopes up—I don’t know of any evolutionists saying they believed dinosaurs evolved into butterflies (not yet anyway)! At any rate, the scales are delicate structures, and the wings can quickly overheat or cool down too much—at least, they would if God hadn’t provided them exactly what they need to regulate the temperature of their gorgeous and colorful wings.

Scientists have discovered active cells underneath the scales on butterfly wings. These cells serve as a “network of mechanical and temperature sensors, as well as a supportive circulatory and tracheal system.” One researcher explains,

Butterfly wings are essentially vector light-detecting panels by which butterflies can accurately determine the intensity and direction of sunlight, and do this swiftly without using their eyes.

Butterfly wings are even more complex than we thought!

Butterfly wings are even more complex than we thought! Such an intricate and careful design reminds us that butterflies are not the result of random, chance processes over millions of years. They were created by God and bear his fingerprint. They’re just another example of why mankind is “without excuse” for refusing to acknowledge the Creator—his existence is obvious from what he’s made (Romans 1:20).

Get More Answers on Answers News

This item was discussed on Monday on Answers News with cohosts Avery Foley, frequent guest speaker Roger Patterson, and Dr. Gabriela Haynes. Answers News is our weekly news program filmed live before a studio audience here at the Creation Museum and broadcast on my Facebook page and the Answers in Genesis Facebook page. We also covered the following topics:

  • Did sauropods walk on two legs?
  • Franklin Graham’s event cancelled because of his views on homosexuality.
  • World’s oldest fungus rewrites evolutionary history?
  • And more!

Watch the entire episode of Answers News for February 3, 2020.

Be sure to join us each Monday at 2 p.m. (ET) for Answers News. You won’t want to miss this unique news program that gives science and culture news from a distinctly biblical and Christian perspective.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.

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