Which behavior minimizes detection when a *Pieris rapae* butterfly is resting?
Answer
Perching with wings closed, presenting the less conspicuous underside
While white butterflies are highly conspicuous in open flight, behavioral adjustments are employed when resting to reduce visibility to upward-looking predators. One key behavior involves perching with their wings held closed vertically. This posture effectively hides the bright white upper surfaces, instead displaying the underside of the wings, which is described as being less conspicuous. This contrasts with their active flight pattern, which is often rapid or erratic to make them difficult targets even when spotted.
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