A captive great tit (Parus major) attacks the hind wings and “tails” of a dummy made with real wings from a sail swallowtail butterfly (Iphiclides podalirius). A new study suggests that the tails deflect attacks away from key body parts to brittle extensions that easily tear off, allowing the insect to flee. Read more: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/butterfly-wing-tail-loss-break-birds-escape
Video: A. Chotard et al/Proceedings of the Royal Society B 2022