Can Butterfties Fly under Microgravity?

Abstract

Flying behavior of butterflies ( Pieris rapae and Golias erate) which were subjected to a microgravity condition created during falling experiment in JAMIC (Japan Microgravity Center), was observed using a video camera recording system. Under microgravity most butterflies attached themselves to the wall of the plastic box with the claws, flapping thier wings slowly. When maniqure was applied on the sharp points of thier claws before the experiment, a half of the butterflies left the wall, flying toward the direction of fluorescent lamp. Butterflies seemed flying normally even under microgravity.