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How Much Energy Does a Monarch Butterfly Use to Fly?
Flapping vs. Soaring/Gliding Flight

How many times more energy is burned during flapping flight than during soaring/gliding flight? According to research by Dr. David Gibo, a monarch could either soar for over 1,000 hours or flap for only 44 using the same amount of energy.

  • 1,000 hours is how many more times more than 44 hours?
  • Compare 1,000 hours to 44 hours
  • 1,000 = 44 x
  • x = 22.7 times

Simple math shows that 22.7 times more energy is needed to flap than to glide.

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