An epic journey: Butterflies' incredible 2,600-mile non-stop flight across the Atlantic

The amazing migration of lady butterflies across the Atlantic is depicted

In a groundbreaking study, scientists have found evidence that painted butterflies known as Vanessa Cardui have accomplished the extraordinary feat of flying more than 2,600 miles (about 4,200 kilometers) across the Atlantic Ocean without stopping.

Discovery

The discovery ends a decade-long mystery started by entomologist Dr. Gerard Talavera. In October 2013, he discovered about 10 painted butterflies on a beach in French Guiana. These butterflies, not normally found in South America, showed signs of wear and tear, with holes and tears in the wings. This unusual sight led Talavera to suggest that these insects were long-distance migrants.

A study published June 25 in Nature Communications  details how these butterflies made this incredible journey. Painted women are known for their spectacular migratory patterns, often traveling thousands of miles. However, they usually migrate overland, stopping periodically to rest and refuel. This new ocean crossing discovery is unprecedented for butterflies.

Travel confirmation

To confirm the butterflies' transatlantic travel, the researchers first ruled out the possibility that the insects had traveled overland from North America. DNA analysis has linked the butterflies to European and African populations. In addition, isotopic tracing techniques, which study the composition of the butterflies' wings to determine their diet as caterpillars, have suggested that the butterflies originated in western Europe, northern or western Africa.

Supporting the hypothesis of transatlantic travel, the researchers analyzed the pollen of butterflies. The pollen was from two West African plants, Guiera senegalensis and Ziziphus spina-christi, indicating that the butterflies fed on these plants before embarking on their journey. Weather data for the days leading up to the butterflies' discovery also showed exceptionally favorable conditions for dispersal from West Africa.

Stability and navigation

The journey will take butterflies five to eight days, depending on various factors. Although painted butterflies can only fly about 485 miles (780 kilometers) non-stop, favorable wind conditions allowed them to complete the crossing. This journey is now considered one of the longest insect migrations ever recorded.

Implications and future research

This discovery challenges the notion of butterflies as fragile creatures. This highlights their resilience and navigational abilities, raising the question of how long these migrations have been going unnoticed.

Researchers are looking to apply these techniques to study the migration patterns of other butterfly species, hoping to learn more about these amazing journeys. If the regular migration is confirmed, it would be one of the largest known insect migrations.

The transatlantic flight of painted butterflies is an example of their incredible resilience and adaptability. This discovery not only solves a decade-old mystery, but also opens up new avenues for understanding insect migration and persistence.