Butterfly (ZDR)

ButterfliesIn the game's internal files, the larger model is referred to as "butterfly" and the smaller model is referred to as "light_insect" or "lightinsect". and Light Insects are small, flying insects in Metroid Dread.
==Description==
Butterflies and Light Insects resemble Earth butterflies with small bodies and large wings, and they have a bright blue bioluminescent glow. Butterflies are considerably larger and can be found perched on objects, including Chozo Statues. Light Insects are much smaller and tend to congregate in flight near light sources. Light Insects may be younger Butterflies or simply a related species.
Butterflies are found throughout ZDR. They are not hostile and will simply fly away when approached by Samus Aran; they will also fly away if spooked by sounds such as Beam fire.Looygi Bros. "20 Cool Details in Metroid Dread" YouTube. November 26, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021. In return, Samus cannot harm these insects. They do not react to Samus if she approaches them with the Phantom Cloak active. They can also be scared off if an enemy approaches them.Looygi Bros. "10 Cool Details in Metroid Dread (Part 2)" YouTube. December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
In addition to providing ambience, Butterflies act as subtle waypoints for leading Samus to key points of interest. This is established when Samus discovers a swarm of Butterflies perched on E.M.M.I.-01P's Central Unit, leading her to discover the Omega Cannon. These insects tend to be found near power-ups, transports such as Shuttles and Elevators, and doors along the intended path. Therefore, Samus can often follow the Butterflies to keep moving forward; however, since Butterflies reappear after she leaves the room, this is not always a guarantee of progress.
It is unknown whether Butterflies become infected by X Parasites after they are released from Elun, since they remain docile and cannot be killed to release X. Light Insects will scatter and flee if approached by an X, presumably to avoid infection.Looygi Bros. "15 Cool Details in Metroid Dread (Part 3)" YouTube. December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021. The X have been known to ignore bioforms if perceived as potentially weak hosts (such as Etecoons and Dachoras), although ADAM instructs Samus to assume that all life on ZDR has become infected.
==Gallery==
Metroid Dread mysterious bull statue.png|Light Insects in Cataris
Ghavoran 1.jpg|Butterflies in Ghavoran
Hanubia.png|Light Insects in Hanubia
==References==
Category:Species
Category:ZDR
Category:Artaria
Category:Cataris
Category:Dairon
Category:Ghavoran
Category:Hanubia