Sometimes the colours on the wings help hide the insect from predators. Many moths, for instance, have mottled brown wings and are almost invisible when resting on wood during the day. Sometimes the bright colours of a butterfly's wings warn a predator that it is poisonous to eat. Or they may mimic another butterfly that is poisonous to eat. The viceroy butterfly mimics the similar-looking monarch in this way.
Some butterfly wings have spots that look just like eyes.
The owl butterfly of South American rainforests startles predators by suddenly flashing its eyespots. Wing colours may also attract a mate. The wings of many male lepidopterans have scent glands to attract females as well. Silk More than 2000 years ago, the Chinese discovered that certain caterpillars make a fine, light thread that can be woven into one of the most beautiful of all materials, silk. Most moth caterpillars make silk.