With a lifespan of 14-28 days, the Painted Lady butterfly species has made a miraculous journey for its short-lived existence. In 2013, this specific species was discovered by the researcher Gerard Talavera on the sandy bays of French Guiana in South America.
Unsplash/Jeffrey Hamilton
This sighting is unique because the Painted Lady, also known as the Vanessa Cardui, originates from North Africa, which is a very long way from home.
An investigation was conducted to scientifically solve how this exotic-winged tourist in South America can be explained. A possible explanation was discovered through innovative techniques from various worldwide experts, such as individuals from Institut Botànic de Barcelona.
A combination of wind conditions and an energy expenditure analysis indicates that a transatlantic journey was likely the cause. A significant distance to make for a small invertebrate, a postdoctoral candidate, Megan Reich, from the University of Ottawa, says: “I think this study does a good job of demonstrating how much we tend to underestimate the dispersal abilities of insects.”
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Source link : https://www.getaway.co.za/wildlife/butterflies-found-in-south-america-indicate-a-4200-km-flight-journey/
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Publish date : 2024-07-07 06:08:24
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