Enough with the Dead Butterflies (2017)
It seems to me, actually, the body position that seems most incorrect (eg in the Monarch poster). The body remains largely horizontal, and "above" the wings.I saw this post first time around (on HN) and bought the complaint completely. But, having now looked at lots of slow motion butterfly flight pictures I think she's over-stating it a little.Look at this [1], or a slow-mo of Monarchs: the white & black Tree Nymph (I think it's called) in particular, especially at first take off, or when gliding, has quite a swept forward wing. Perhaps about 120deg spacing.Other butterflies, of the ones I saw it was smaller ones but the OP observes the contrary, have greater than 180deg spacing. That made me wonder if the wing sweep was more to do with flight conditions (wind speed, etc.)?Projection, the angle you observe from, is a key factor in the apparent shape too.[1] https://youtu.be/aBfJtTm_XD4