To Prepare Flight Muscles for Use on a Cool Morning

Question

To prepare flight muscles for use on a cool morning, hawkmouth moths
A) relax the muscles completely until after they launch themselves into the air.
B) decrease their standard metabolic rate.
C) rapidly contract and relax these muscles to generate metabolic warmth.
D) walk to shaded areas to avoid direct sunlight.
E) reduce the metabolic rate of the muscles to rest them before flight.

Accepted Answer

Hawkmouth moths rapidly contract and relax their flight muscles to generate metabolic warmth to prepare for flight on a cool morning. This allows them to reach their optimal body temperature for flight.