A trans-oceanic flight of over 4,200 km by painted lady butterflies - Nature Communications
www.nature.com
The extent and impact of global insect movements is hindered by tracking limitations. This study reveals a 4,200 km transatlantic journey by butterflies from West Africa to South America, lasting 5-8 days, highlighting the remarkable capacity of certain insects to disperse over vast distances.
  • Baggins@piefed.socialEnglish
    11·
    4 months ago

    This is just incredible. How does a tiny creature like that store enough energy to make that flight. They can’t stop and feed.

    Nature is awesome and very humbling at times.

    • DavidGarcia@feddit.nl
      6·
      4 months ago

      “The overall journey, which was energetically feasible only if assisted by winds”

      yeah you’re right

      • Baggins@beehaw.orgEnglish
        2·
        4 months ago

        They make that journey not knowing the wind will help them. Even so, all that time without feeding.

    • casmael@lemm.ee
      31·
      4 months ago

      Yeah it’s completely fucking nuts - hard to believe it’s a real thing that actually happens I thought butterflies were optimised for flying in a deliberately squiggly way to avoid becoming lunch as far as possible 🫨