Why do moths have powder on their wings. Without the ability to heat up in the suns rays a moth needs extra insulation. Ive referenced this in my answers to related questions but never provided an in depth answer devoted to scales in particular. A butterfly uses scales for thermoregulation as well but a moth tends to have thicker scale layers. Thousands of tiny scales and hairs cover moths wings not powder.
The dust on butterfly and moth wings are modified hairs called scales. Butterflies and moths both have an organ called the johnstons organ which is at the base of a butterfly or moths antennae. The ones on the wings of moths and butterflies have been modified over the course of evolution into a scalelike shape and may have a powdery appearance when they are rubbed off. Moths like butterflies belong to the order lepidoptera which means scale wing.
That powder is better known as scales. Both moths and butterflies have very tiny scales on their wings. The scales are pigmented but they also contribute to the pattern on the wings by diffracting light through a complex microscopic structure of ribs and holes. If a large section of scales is missing you can sometimes see right through the clear membrane.
The scales provide an insulating layer to help the moth stay warm. But there is also a defensive reason. They form patterns of bright colors sometimes with hidden ultraviolet pattern that are used as signals to the other sex in attraction for mating. With regards to flight the scales since theyre an addition to the wings provide extra lift since air is trapped in between the wing and scales.
If you touch the wings with finger the powder is rubbed off leaving the wing more or less transparent and colorless. The scales provide multiple uses including assistance to flight. Butterflies and moths hear sounds through their wings. Theyre sort of like the scales on fish but much smaller.
The powder is actually tiny scales made from modified hairs. So small that they seem like a fine powder. Why would moths have scales on the device that they primarily use to fly. The size and shape of the scales varies depending on the species so some of them seem fuzzier than others.
The scales have at least four functions not necessarily on the same butterfly species. Wing tears on the other hand do affect a butterflys ability to fly.