Hello, I'm an expert in entomology, the study of insects. When it comes to the question of whether butterflies can fly at night, the answer is generally no. Most butterflies are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and rest at night. However, there are a few species that may be active during twilight or even at night, but this is not typical behavior for the majority of butterfly species.
Butterflies rely on their vision to navigate and find food, and since their vision is adapted to the light levels of the day, they usually do not fly in the dark. Additionally, flying at night could expose them to predators that are more active during the night.
However, it's important to note that there are exceptions to every rule. Some butterfly species, such as the moth butterfly (or hawkmoths), are capable of flying at night. These species have evolved to be nocturnal to avoid competition and predation.
In summary, while most butterflies do not fly at night, there are exceptions, and a few species have adapted to be active during the nighttime hours.
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