when butterflies live a natural lifespan, their wings show the evidence! rips, tears and weathering are a common occurrence during a butterflies life caused by general wear & tear, breeding, entomology Can butterflies still fly after their wings are touched? Biology Stack Exchange Physical and behavioral adaptations to prevent overheating of the living wings of butterflies Nature Communications Fantastic facts about butterflies: Everything you need to know, according to science BBC Science Focus Magazine Butterfly Wings & Their Function The Art of Ecology