Butterflies likely originated from populations in North America, Europe or Africa
DNA metabarcoding used to analyze pollen on butterflies' wings and chart their path
First verified account of an individual insect crossing the Atlantic Ocean by Gerard Talavera and his team
Hundreds of painted lady butterflies found in French Guiana in October 2013
In October 2013, Gerard Talavera, an entomologist and researcher at the Institut Botànic de Barcelona in Spain, stumbled upon a peculiar sight: hundreds of painted lady butterflies on a beach in French Guiana. These butterflies are typically found in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, but not in South America.
Talavera discovered that the painted ladies had traveled over 4,200 kilometers from North America, Europe or Africa to reach French Guiana. This was likely the first verified account of an individual insect crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
To determine how these butterflies made such a long journey, Talavera and his team used a method called DNA metabarcoding. This allowed them to analyze pollen DNA found on the butterflies' wings, which revealed the plant source and charted their insect's path. The researchers discovered that the butterflies originated from populations in North America, Europe or Africa, and had likely flown around 4,300 miles to reach South America in less than a month.
This discovery not only demonstrates the incredible long-distance capabilities of painted lady butterflies but also highlights the potential for other insects to travel vast distances as well. The study serves as a reminder that even small and delicate organisms, like these butterflies, can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in nature.
In October 2013, Gerard Talavera, an entomologist, found a large number of painted lady butterflies on a beach in French Guiana.
The painted lady butterfly is normally found in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr. Talavera developed a method using DNA metabarcoding to analyze pollen DNA found on butterfly wings, which can be used to determine the plant source and chart the insect’s path.
On October 28, 2013, three painted lady butterflies were found on the Atlantic coast of South America (French Guiana), outside their native range.
The individuals found on the coast of French Guiana likely originated from populations in North America, Europe or Africa.
Accuracy
The painted lady butterfly can cover up to 9,000 miles during its migration between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
The painted ladies likely hitched rides on wind currents and alternated between flapping and gliding during their journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
Two specific plant species found on the butterflies’ wings, Guiera senegalensis and Ziziphus spina-christi, only flower at the end of the rainy season in West Africa.
An increase in vegetation in the Middle East in early 2019 provided an ideal environment for the butterflies to lay eggs on these plants.
By May 2019, massive butterfly migrations were observed in Scandinavia and Russia, and by the end of June, they reached the United Kingdom and the Pyrenees.
The Botanical Institute of Barcelona leads a citizen science program to collect data on observations of larvae and adult migratory butterflies worldwide through the website www.butterflymigration.org.
Accuracy
In 2019, Europe witnessed an extraordinary migration of millions of painted lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui).
The butterflies’ migration originated from the Middle East, as indicated by plants endemic to the region found in their pollen samples.
The painted lady butterfly annually migrates through successive generations between tropical Africa and Europe, covering up to 15,000 kilometers.
Deception
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None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
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The article contains an appeal to authority with the researchers' findings and analysis of satellite imagery. However, no formal or informal fallacies were found in the author's assertions.
]The analysis of satellite images taken over the past 20 years allowed us to detect that vegetation growth levels in early 2019 were exceptionally high in the Middle East, covering large desert areas in green.[/
