What causes shaking in monarch butterflies? Butterflies are tiny solar powered flyers! Butterflies are coldblooded and often sunbathe with wings openjust to warm up enough to fly. They can increase their internal temperature by vibrating their wings. You Kinematic and Aerodynamic Investigation of the Butterfly in Forward Free Flight for the Butterfly Inspired Flapping Wing Air Vehicle 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 Love is in the air: how butterflies date Natural History Museum