Beating the Heat in the Living Wings of Butterflies BNL Newsroom Why do monarch butterflies shiver? They do this to increase their body temperature by warming their muscles so they can take flight., Photo Courtesy of Community Member Julie Bthanks Julie! entomology Can butterflies still fly after their wings are touched? Biology Stack Exchange Did you know Monarch butterflies shiver their wings to stay warm? When temperatures drop, these delicate pollinators vibrate their wings rapidly in a behavior called shivering. This tiny motion generates heat, helping Fantastic facts about butterflies: Everything you need to know, according to science BBC Science Focus Magazine Moth vs Butterfly: The 8 Key Differences A Z Animals