Articles tagged with Lepidoptera
A new study found that LED streetlights have a detrimental impact on local insect populations, with moth caterpillar numbers being 52% lower under LED lighting than in unlit areas. The study suggests that this is due to female moths laying fewer eggs in habitats illuminated by streetlights.
Researchers used statistical models to study the co-evolutionary history of pierid butterflies and their host plants. They found that butterfly-plant relationships are resilient to changes in species composition but can destabilize over larger structural changes.
A single butterfly species introduced to an island in the 1990s had a significant impact on several insect populations, leading to genetic decline and high extinction risk for some species. The parasitoid wasp's mobility and symbiotic bacterial relationships played key roles in shaping this outcome.
Researchers at CU Boulder's ATLAS Institute have developed shape-changing objects inspired by origami that can bend, wiggle, and flutter using artificial muscles. The 'Electriflow' designs utilize hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic actuators to create paper-thin, fast-moving, and almost silent objects.
A new study has confirmed the Xerces blue butterfly's extinction due to human activities, sparking concerns about the impact on ecosystems. The DNA analysis reveals a unique genetic sequence distinct from other butterflies, emphasizing the importance of protecting remaining species.
A new species of butterfly has been discovered in Canada, the European Common Blue, which could become widespread due to its preference for urban areas. The study found that the butterfly can reach extremely high densities relative to native butterflies and is a low-moderate disperser.
A new species of alpine moth has been discovered in the Alps, with its discovery resolving a 180-year-old mystery. The moth, named Dichrorampha velata, was found to be different from a previously known species and had to be described as new to science.
A recent study led by Michigan State University ecologists reveals that changing climate has nearly seven times more significant impact on eastern monarch population decline than other contributors. The team analyzed data from over 18,000 surveys of monarchs in the midwestern US, central Mexico, and southern Canada between 1994 and 2018.
A comprehensive study of Lepidoptera's transparent wings reveals multiple approaches to achieve transparency, including the absence of scales and varying scale densities. The research suggests that transparency acts as ultimate camouflage, making butterflies less visible to predators.
Winter rainfall in sub-Saharan Africa limits painted lady butterfly migrations to Europe. The size of migrating populations varies greatly, increasing by a hundredfold in some years, likely driven by weather conditions in West Africa.
A species of butterfly found in Sub-Saharan Africa can migrate thousands of miles to Europe crossing the Saharan Desert in years with favorable weather conditions, increasing understanding of how insects could spread between continents due to climate change.
A study by researchers at the University of Basel found that excess nitrogen deposited into soils via air pollution endangers butterfly diversity in Switzerland. The team analyzed data on plant and butterfly diversity across 383 plots and discovered a clear link between nitrogen intake and reduced vegetation diversity.
A recent study found that only 45% of moth and butterfly species can adjust to a changing climate by advancing their flight period or shifting their range further north. The remaining 55% have seen their populations decline due to insufficient habitats, making it essential to preserve biodiversity through high-quality habitats.
Researchers discovered the glasswing butterfly's unique wing structure, creating transparency through a lower density of scale cells and nanostructures. The findings also revealed an anti-glare coating made of waxy hydrocarbon nanopillars, making butterflies nearly invisible to predators.
Researchers found that captive-raised monarchs can establish proper orientation using their sense of flight direction after being exposed to sunlight and natural cues. The process takes between 24-48 hours, allowing them to fly in the correct direction once released into the wild.
Research found that Varroa mite dsRNA is not toxic to monarch butterfly larvae, contrary to expectation based on shared target gene. The study uses dsRNA to control varroa mites in honeybee colonies and found it safe for monarchs.
A study of 158 European butterfly species found that 25 thrive in urban environments, while others decline. Generalist species with adaptable traits are more likely to succeed.
Researchers recommend increasing milkweed stems in the Midwest and southern U.S. to support the eastern monarch butterfly population, which has dwindled to 2.3 overwintering hectares due to habitat loss and climate change.
Researchers found that varying microclimates in habitats support butterfly populations. Insect larvae benefit from specific temperature and moisture conditions, which can be promoted in gardens with diverse plants and structures.
A recent study found large populations of monarchs breeding in San Francisco and Los Angeles, suggesting an adaptation to the changing climate. The researchers believe that this new breeding pattern may help the population persist in the western US, despite a decline in numbers.
Adriana Darielle Mejía Briscoe, a University of California, Irvine professor of ecology & evolutionary biology, has been awarded a 2021 Guggenheim Fellowship. She will conduct field research on the impacts of climate change on butterflies' visual and thermal adaptations.
A recent study found that North American deserts are home to a high array of butterfly species due to the desert's changing conditions and mobile nature. This diversity is attributed to the butterflies' generalist behavior and lack of host plant specificity, making them less likely to cluster together.
Researchers found that birds can recognize and remember the wing patterns of artificial butterflies that evaded their attacks, as well as those with a foul flavor. The study suggests that being hard to catch may deter predators at least as effectively as chemical defenses.
A new report finds that western US butterfly populations are declining rapidly due to fall warming trends, which induce physiological stress and affect development and hibernation preparation. Conservation efforts in urban areas with constant water flow will be crucial in preventing further declines and extinction.
Sea butterflies are already experiencing difficulties building their shells due to ocean acidification, which will worsen in the future. They shift from growing thicker and larger shells to investing more in becoming larger, posing a major problem for local sea life that depend on them for food.
A study published in Science found consistent annual declines in butterfly populations over the past 40 years in the western United States. The estimated 1.6% per year decline is attributed to increasing fall temperatures and warming landscapes.
A recent study using citizen science data found that climate warming is driving population declines in butterflies throughout the American West over the past 40 years. The research, published in Science, highlights the need for new approaches to butterfly conservation and suggests that climate change is a key factor in pollinator decline.
A new study confirms ecological interactions as a driver of evolution over long periods, highlighting the importance of adapting to host plant changes. Butterflies that consume poisonous plants exhibit genetic adaptations that enable them to detoxify toxins and recognize their preferred hosts.
Researchers found substantial differences in brain morphology between forest edge and deep forest butterfly species, with the latter investing more in visual information processing. The study suggests that changes in brain structure play a crucial role in speciation across environments.
A group of caterpillars that eat cycad plants have evolved a toxic defense mechanism, resulting in bold colors and behaviors to deter predators. The study reveals the genetic consequences of this adaptation, including rapid evolutionary change and the development of proteins that destroy cells and remove dead cell debris.
Researchers at Lund University discovered that butterfly wings exhibit aerodynamic efficiency through a unique wingbeat mechanism. The 'wing clap' creates a backward jet that propels the butterflies forward, while also allowing them to stay aloft.
A novel family of enzymes in butterflies produces (E)-beta-ocimene as an anti-aphrodisiac pheromone, similar to a floral attractant found in many flower scents. This independent evolutionary process highlights the convergent evolution of chemical signals across kingdoms.
Researchers discovered a gene that shows butterflies and flowers independently evolved to make the same chemical compound for different purposes. Male butterflies use this pheromone to repulse competitors and attract females only once.
Researchers have identified a unique genetic 'mimicry switch' that determines whether male and female Elymnias hypermnestra palmflies mimic the same or different species. The study found that sexual dimorphism arose repeatedly in different populations, linked to a gene associated with melanin localization and regulation.
A new study by University of Delaware Professor Doug Tallamy identifies the most critical plants needed to sustain food webs across the United States. These powerhouse plants, including oaks, willows, and goldenrod, support insects that are essential for energy transfer and soil decomposition.
A study of Monarch butterfly populations reveals a shift from larger to smaller wings in non-migrating groups, suggesting genetic influence. The findings suggest that migration favors longer wings, while non-migration leads to smaller wings.
Researchers from Sweden and Germany have found that female influence butterfly color diversity by mating with colorful males. The study suggests that Darwin's model of sexual selection explains the patterns better than Wallace's model, resolving a long-standing argument.
Research found that native milkweed cultivars planted by the public can attract and support monarchs, as well as other pollinators like bees. The study's results suggest that these cultivars are just as attractive and suitable for monarchs as their wild-type counterparts.
Researchers have identified five genes associated with the different visual mating preferences of two tropical butterfly species. These genes are linked to the processing of visual information during courtship, without affecting perceptions of other aspects of the environment. This study provides insights into the evolutionary changes ...
Researchers found that species-rich sites can lead to biased measurements of biodiversity change. A systematic approach is needed to prevent such biases and ensure accurate conclusions. The study emphasizes the importance of choosing representative sampling sites to inform conservation efforts.
Research reveals that two groups of marine organisms, sea butterflies and sea angels, have survived dramatic global climate change and Earth's most recent mass extinction event. The study found that these pteropods evolved in the early Cretaceous period and likely survived previous episodes of ocean acidification.
Butterfly species that rely on finding a shady location to keep cool are at risk of population decline due to climate change. Landscapes with diverse features and microclimates can help conserve butterfly populations.
Researchers finally resolved the identity of the mysterious butterfly, previously described by Alfred Russel Wallace in 1866. The species, known as 'Grass Blue', demonstrates high seasonal variability and may not warrant subspecies classification.
A new subspecies of the rarest Palaearctic butterfly, Arctic Apollo, has been found in the Arctic Circle of Yakutia. The species, named Parnassius arcticus arbugaevi, exhibits distinct physical and DNA differences from other Arctic Apollo populations.
Research suggests that male butterflies use external mating plugs to enforce monogamy, while females counterattack by evolving larger or more complex organs to render the plugs ineffective. The study found no link between mating plugs and increased species diversity.
A recent analysis of tagged monarch butterflies' migration from the US to Mexico found no decline in migration success and contradicts the theory that increased mortality during migration is driving population decline. The study highlights the importance of creating new habitat for milkweed, a crucial plant for monarchs' survival.
A recent study by Vaishali Bhaumik and Dr Krushnamegh Kunte reveals contrasting effects of migration and dispersal on flight morphology in butterflies. Female butterfly populations that disperse over short distances have a higher egg load, but this declines rapidly as their thorax size increases, enabling stronger flight muscles.
A new study reveals that female Emigrant butterflies selectively burden themselves with eggs during long-distance flights, whereas males travel light. This disparity stems from differences in predictability of habitat patches and larval host plants between migrating and dispersing species.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution has challenged the prevailing view that monarch butterfly migration mortality is a major cause of population decline. The researchers found that the size of the summer population is the main determinant of yearly variation in overwintering numbers.
A genome-wide comparison of eastern and western monarch butterflies found they share identical genetic diversity, contradicting long-held assumptions about their distinctiveness. The study suggests environmental factors shape behavioral differences in the butterflies' migratory patterns.
Using a quantum computer, researchers simulated time travel into the past, damaging one qubit. However, when all qubits returned to the present, they appeared largely unaltered, suggesting self-healing in reality. The study challenges traditional views of chaos and disorder in complex systems.
New research shows road verges can provide vital food and shelter for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. By mowing less, limiting street lighting, and reducing pollution, managers can create 'corridors' to aid pollinator conservation.
Caterpillars of the Lycaenidae family have evolved to associate with ants, which protect them from predators in exchange for sugary secretions. These associations are driven by chemical signals and rewards, allowing caterpillars to minimize energetic costs while maximizing protection.
Research from the University of York finds that subsidized agricultural conservation schemes fail to benefit rarer butterfly species, while common species like Ringlet and Meadow brown thrive. The study suggests that these schemes can help improve connectivity for some species, but are unlikely to prevent extinctions.
Researchers have found unprecedented levels of complexity and rapid changes in jets and gas bubbles blasting off from the centers of two young planetary nebulas. Hubble's multi-wavelength observations are helping to converge on an understanding of the mechanisms underlying these chaotic fireworks.
A complete time-calibrated phylogeny for European butterflies has been published, providing a tool for evolutionary and ecological research. The study offers insights into the ancestral relationships and history of divergence for all 496 species.
Researchers at Binghamton University developed a method for detecting dangerous 'butterfly' landmines using low-cost commercial drones and infrared cameras. The new research uses convolutional neural networks to automate landmine detection, providing faster and more accurate results than human-eye scanning.
A study by University of Alberta scientists found that alpine butterflies with specialized diets are more vulnerable to climate change, while those with diverse diets are less likely to be affected. Climate change models suggest that fluctuations in food resources will have a significant impact on these butterfly populations.
A new study suggests that butterfly and moth eyespots likely evolved independently, with distinct developmental pathways.
The largest study to date has found that global insect populations are declining on land by an average of 0.92% per year, resulting in a 24% decrease over 30 years. However, freshwater insects have shown an average annual increase of 1.08%, corresponding to a 38% increase over 30 years.