研究人员一直无法理解小巧的蝴蝶是如何用它们巨大但低效的翅膀飞行的。现在，一项新的研究表明，蝴蝶进化出了一种有效的合拢和拍打翅膀的方式来产生推力。

The fluttering flight patterns of butterflies have long inspired poets, but baffled scientists. The delicate creatures have unusually large wings, which are aerodynamically inefficient. But now using high-speed cameras and a wind tunnel, researchers say they have solved the puzzle.

一直以来，蝴蝶翩翩起舞的飞行模式赋予诗人灵感，却困扰了科学家。这种小巧脆弱的生物长有异常巨大的翅膀，这从空气动力学的角度来看，效率很低。但现在，通过使用高速摄像机和风洞试验技术，研究人员称他们已经解开了这个谜题。

When taking off, the leading edges of the butterfly's wings come together to form an air pocket. This improves the efficiency of the wing clap, pushing the butterfly forward at speed. The researchers say that this flying trick has helped the slow-moving creatures escape predators and thrive.

在起飞时，蝴蝶翅膀的前缘并合，形成一个气穴。这提高了拍动翅膀的效率，推动蝴蝶快速前进。研究人员说，这个飞行技巧帮助了行动缓慢的蝴蝶逃脱捕食者的追捕，并茁壮成长。

The authors believe the discovery could prove useful in other spheres. Some drone devices and underwater vehicles already use propulsion systems based on a wing clapping motion, but with limited success. The researchers say that the natural approach developed by butterflies could dramatically improve the performance.

此研究的作者们认为，这一发现可能会在其它领域派上用场。一些无人机装置和水下航行器已经使用了基于拍翅运动原理的推进系统，但成效甚微。研究人员说，由蝴蝶演变出的自然方法可能会大大提高推进系统的性能。