The scales of butterfly wings serve several purposes. Besides being responsible for the magnificent colors of butterflies, scales also protect and insulate the insects and aid in the flow of air along their wings as they fly. Scales also may help the butterfly to soak up the heat that flying requires.
The colors and patterning of the scales can attract and help finding mates, serve as camouflage, a warning sign, or as a form of mimicry. Butterfly wing scales also aid in survival. The scales are designed to come off easily, so when a butterfly gets tangled up with a predator, it can slip away.
Scent scales are modified wing scales on the forewing of male butterflies that release pheromones. These chemicals attract females of the same species