Articles tagged with Lepidoptera
Researchers discovered that butterfly wings contain a network of living cells that require a constrained temperature range for optimal function. The wings also exhibit enhanced radiative cooling through nanostructures, which selectively reduces the temperature of living structures.
A new study from North Carolina State University shows that ongoing habitat management can help prevent hurricane-driven extinctions. The research found that a rare Florida plant, the pineland croton, weathered the damage from Hurricane Irma better in plots under human management than those left alone.
Researchers identified a genomic region associated with Alba, a rare white color form in female butterflies, linked to alternative life history strategy and increased fecundity. The study reveals the genetic basis of Alba, a visual manifestation of resource reallocation away from colored pigments.
Researchers used CRISPR gene editing to study butterfly wing patterns, finding that similar patterns evolved through different genetic pathways despite shared environmental pressures. The study reveals the complex interplay between chance and history in shaping evolutionary outcomes.
Researchers found that climate change is causing some British butterflies to emerge earlier, benefiting flexible species with multiple breeding cycles per year. However, single-generation species that are habitat specialists are most vulnerable to climate change, leading to declines in numbers and local extinctions.
Insects are moving northwards in response to climate change, but often find no suitable habitats for settlement. Habitat availability plays a crucial role in determining expansion rates, with some species thriving in certain conditions while others struggle.
A dated evolutionary tree for butterflies and moths reveals they diversified 300 million years ago, earlier than previously thought. The study supports the hypothesis that Lepidoptera coevolved with flowering plants but not with echolocating bats.
A new study reveals that moths evolved 'ears' millions of years before the emergence of bats, challenging the long-held hypothesis that bats drove this adaptation. Fossil analysis and genetic data confirm that flowering plants played a key role in shaping moth diversity.
Researchers used CRISPR technology to study the genetic changes that allow monarch butterflies to survive toxic milkweed by editing genes into laboratory fruit flies. This breakthrough reveals a key adaptation in the evolution of these iconic insects.
Researchers genetically engineered fruit flies to mimic the monarch butterfly's ability to eat milkweed without dying. The flies store toxins in their bodies and retain them through metamorphosis, making animals that eat them likely to vomit.
A research group led by Associate Professor Joel Yang from Singapore University of Technology and Design printed a miniature Eiffel Tower with multiple colors due to interacting nanostructures. The
A team of researchers, led by Sean Ryan, documents the invasive history of the small cabbage white butterfly, which they attribute to human activities such as trade and migration. The study uses DNA analysis from over 3,000 submitted butterflies to reveal the butterfly's spread across Europe, Asia, Siberia, North America, and New Zealand.
Researchers developed a method to predict Painted Lady butterfly migrations and found that the species relies on reproductive success in both Africa and Europe. The model suggests that overwintering might occur near the equator between December and February, posing a risk due to climate change.
Researchers used AI to analyze wing patterns of Heliconius butterflies, confirming Müllerian mimicry theory and discovering new mechanisms of evolutionary novelty. The study found that species borrow features from each other, generating new patterns and increasing biological diversity.
A study by D. André Green found that cold temperatures speed up the monarchs' internal timer, allowing them to terminate diapause and prepare for spring migration. The research suggests that cold temperature plays a critical role in regulating the timing of biological processes in monarchs.
A long-term study of butterflies in Ohio found that common species are declining at a rate of 2% per year, resulting in an overall 33% decrease over 21 years. This trend is consistent with other monitoring programs in Europe and highlights the impact of environmental changes on insect populations.
A study found captive-breeding affects monarchs' ability to migrate south for overwintering in Mexico. Researchers compared wild-caught and commercially bred monarchs, finding reduced migration and reproductive success.
A new study by scientists at the University of Chicago found that commercially bred monarch butterflies do not fly southward even in offspring raised outdoors. This suggests that captive breeding disrupts the monarch's migratory behavior and genetic differences between captive and wild populations may be to blame.
Two new studies suggest that planting milkweed in cities could support 15-30% of the 1.8 billion stems needed to save Monarch butterflies. Urban areas offer a vast potential for creating habitat, with residential yards and low-quality green spaces being particularly valuable targets.
Biological scientist Deborah Matthews discovers four new species of plume moths in the Bahamas, expanding the island's known biodiversity. The discoveries add to the growing understanding of the importance of plume moths in their ecosystems.
Researchers have discovered a new moth family, Ustyurtiidae, in Eurasia, revealing the existence of previously unknown species. The newly described family is a sibling group of the false burnet moth family Urodidae, and its members are well adapted to hot desert conditions.
A new VR game, Butterfly World, aims to engage players in simulated exploration and education about relationships between butterflies, plants, and invasive species. The game fosters empathy for insect and ecosystem conservation, cultivating knowledge and reawakening latent curiosity.
Research team discovers significant decline in butterfly species near intensively cultivated fields, with fewer than half the number of species found in nature preserves. The study emphasizes the urgent need for ecologically sustainable cultivation methods to mitigate this impact.
The study found that higher summer populations on northern breeding grounds correlated with larger Mexican winter colonies. Autumn temperatures and disease rates were not significantly associated with winter population sizes.
Mowing grasslands in June or July can increase monarch butterfly egg laying by 3-10 times, while also reducing predators. This strategy aims to provide a food source for the butterflies' larval stage and create a more favorable environment for their survival.
In a study published in Communications Biology, viceroy butterflies living in northern Florida have evolved to produce a foul-tasting chemical, making them unpalatable to predators. This discovery challenges traditional mimicry theories and suggests a continuum between Batesian and Mullerian mimicry.
A new EU Pilot Project will monitor butterfly population trends across Europe to assess the health of the environment and inform EU biodiversity and agricultural policies. The project, ABLE, aims to build on existing data from thousands of volunteers in 11 EU countries and expand monitoring to cover at least eight additional countries.
Researchers from Aarhus University discovered that insects leave tiny DNA traces on flowers they visit, revealing at least 135 different species of butterflies and insects. This eDNA method holds vast potential for tracking endangered pollinators and managing unwanted pest species.
New research reveals that male butterflies prefer partners with similar wing markings, linked to a specific genome region. This genetic structure promotes long-term evolution and limits inter-species breeding, contributing to the formation of new species.
Research reveals three genome regions control butterfly mating behavior, explaining why hybrids are rare. The study also finds that despite genetic mixing, distinct species traits remain intact due to natural selection. Further research may apply lessons from butterflies to human evolution and behavior.
Fibrosis, a major complication of butterfly syndrome, is driven by the protein TSP1 and its activation of TGF-beta signaling. Researchers have identified a potential treatment by inhibiting TSP1, reducing fibrosis in tissue-engineered models.
A study of 32,000 butterflies found that semi-natural grasslands with surrounding forests support the highest number of butterfly species, while agricultural fields have limited resources. The results highlight the importance of preserving landscapes with diverse habitats to ensure the survival of pollinators.
A new research study reveals that half of the monarchs in southern Florida originated from the American Midwest, challenging the long-held assumption of their core breeding range. This finding raises questions about the shrinking overwintering population in Mexico and suggests alternative migration routes.
A study using long-term data from 'Butterfly Monitoring Germany' found more butterfly species in Natura 2000 areas, but a significant decline in species numbers regardless of location. The network appears to protect valuable habitats, but its overall effectiveness remains unclear.
A new Central American butterfly species, Catasticta sibyllae, has been named after Maria Sibylla Merian in recognition of her groundbreaking work on the metamorphosis of butterflies and moths. Merian's discoveries, made centuries ahead of her time, were instrumental in changing the course of entomology.
The study found that monarch caterpillars and butterflies have declined by 80 percent since 2005 in North Central Florida, mirroring the decline in Mexico. The researchers blame shrinking native milkweed populations and glyphosate use in agricultural fields for the decline.
Researchers from UChicago used genetic analysis and CRISPR/Cas9 editing to discover a single gene that controls the white or yellow spots on the wings of Heliconius butterflies. This gene, called aristaless1 (al1), acts as a switch for color variation, with elevated expression leading to white spots.
Researchers found that people's dislike of wasps is largely due to a lack of knowledge about their role in regulating pest populations and disease-carrying insects. The study suggests that changing public attitudes towards wasps could help protect the ecosystem's biodiversity.
Research found that migrating monarchs encounter high levels of disease when interacting with resident monarchs at tropical milkweed sites, which can lead to reproductive issues and reduced migration rates. Monarch populations are vulnerable to parasitic protozoan OE due to the loss of natural migration patterns.
Drs. Jonathan Rothberg, Roger Klein and Kevin Halling are being recognized for their groundbreaking work and longstanding commitment to advancing patient care and the field of molecular diagnostics. Drs. Rothberg is receiving AMP's highest honor for his pioneering work in genomics and inventions like massively parallel DNA sequencing.
A study found that elevated CO2 levels reduce the protective compounds in milkweed plants, making monarch caterpillars more susceptible to parasites. This threat could have broad implications for animals and humans who rely on plant-based medicines.
Researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 to tweak wing colors of the squinting bush brown butterfly, resulting in changes to scale structure and rigidity. The study reveals that pigmentation genes have dual roles in forming wing scales.
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a method to detect 'butterfly' landmines, which are difficult to locate due to their small size and design. The use of low-cost commercial drones and infrared cameras can rapidly identify these mines and reduce costs and labor required for mine clearing operations.
Researchers confirm painted lady butterflies recolonize Mediterranean region from Afrotropics each spring, traveling 12,000 km across Sahara Desert. The species' annual distance traveled may reach up to 24,000 km, closing the loop for its migratory system.
A new study documents how a North American butterfly evolved complete dependence on an introduced European weed, leading to its local extinction when humans eliminated the plant's availability. The study supports the argument that rapid climate change will prove detrimental to biodiversity.
Researchers at CU Boulder explore galaxy NGC 6240 with two supermassive black holes, revealing how stellar winds and black hole winds combine to power down star formation. The study creates a massive cloud of gas in the shape of a butterfly, significantly impacting the galaxy's evolution.
A team of researchers has discovered new evidence for color in Mesozoic fossils, revealing that intricate microstructures created the metallic bronze to golden colors found on ancient butterfly wings. This study extends the evidence for light-scattering structures in insect fossil records by over 130 million years.
Fossil insects from Jurassic and mid-Cretaceous periods exhibit structural colors due to wavelength-selective scattering of light. The discovery provides insight into the evolution of lepidopteran scales and their optical properties.
A new species of butterfly, Cyllopsis tomemmeli, has been recognized as a distinct species nearly 60 years after it was first collected by Thomas Emmel in 1959. The discovery highlights the value of museum collections and the importance of preserving specimens for future study.
A new butterfly species, Cyllopsis tomemmeli, has been recognized nearly 60 years after it was first collected by Thomas Emmel in Mexico. The species was named to honor Emmel's dedication to lepidoptera research.
Researchers discover that warmer temperatures turn non-native milkweed species into a poisonous trap for monarch butterflies. This study highlights the impact of climate change on species interactions and the delicate balance between monarchs and their food source.
Scientists have named a new butterfly species, Wahydra graslieae, after the Field Museum's chief curiosity correspondent Emily Graslie. The dark rust-colored skipper with silver scales is found in the Ecuadorian Andes and expands our understanding of the genus Wahydra diversity.
Research shows that plants evolve to stop producing toxic chemicals in response to immune herbivores. The study found genetic evidence of a gene's evolution and loss in multiple plant lineages, supporting the 'defense de-escalation' hypothesis.
A comprehensive map of butterfly evolution has been created using a 35-fold increase in genetic data, revealing key relationships between species and classification units. The study confirms swallowtails are a sister group to all other butterflies, while blues are nested within hairstreaks.
Taxonomists have described two new snout moth genera and three new species in southern China, revealing distinctive features such as the presence of androconium scales on forewings. The newly discovered species are likely to be found in adjacent countries, including India.
Researchers have discovered that primitive moths and butterflies, known as Glossata, evolved earlier than previously established - emerging during the Jurassic period. They developed physical attributes to find nutrition by drawing off water droplets from immature gymnosperm seeds.
Researchers have uncovered the earliest known fossil evidence of insects from the order Lepidoptera, providing important insights into their evolutionary history. The fossils, mostly wing scales, suggest that lepidopterans likely depended first on gymnosperms before shifting to angiosperms as a primary food source.
A new study identifies nearly 50 shifts from nocturnal to daytime behavior in butterflies and moths, challenging previous assumptions about their activity patterns. The research suggests that the earliest ancestor of butterflies and moths flew during the day, contrary to earlier thought.
A new butterfly species, Polyommatus australorossicus, has been discovered in southern Russia with a unique 46-chromosome genome organization. The discovery was made possible through a 20-year study of Russian butterflies using various research techniques.
A University of Guelph study reveals that monarch butterfly eggs are more abundant on milkweed grown in agricultural areas, with three and a half times the number found in urban gardens, natural areas, and roadsides. This finding suggests that roadside planting may not be an effective conservation strategy for this endangered species.