Butterfly wing patterns act as motion dazzle defense against predators

Researchers at the University of Exeter found that butterfly wing patterns create optical illusions that prevent birds from accurately judging flight speed and direction. Published in Nature, the study confirmed the effect using high-speed video and simulations of nearly 400 European butterfly species.

• Wing patterns create a motion illusion similar to the barbershop pole effect
• The illusion disrupts the predator's final ballistic attack within tens of milliseconds
• Simulations of nearly 400 butterfly species confirmed the effect is widespread
• A genetic algorithm evolved patterns closely matching those found in nature