How butterflies stay dry
Slightly bumpy surfaces reduce water drops’ contact time
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/mr_Figure5_free_0.jpg?fit=860%2C460&ssl=1)
WATERPROOF As a water droplet hits the wing of a butterfly, a raised vein (vertical line, shown) splits the splash, and sends the water bouncing away more quickly than a smooth surface would.
Courtesy of Adam Paxson, Kyle Hounsell, Jim Bales, James Bird, Kripa Varanasi