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Florida Museum Science

Akito Kawahara

illustration of an agave plant with broad leaves growing from a central point close to the ground. Leaves are wide with large thorns at the point and along the edges.

Life on Earth

Scientists uncover the unexpected identity of mezcal worms

March 8, 2023

Mezcal is a distilled alcohol made from the boiled and fermented sap of agave plants. Most mezcal beverages — including…Read More

Photograph of a green moth perched on wood

Evolution

Moths enlist additional troops in an evolutionary arms race

July 21, 2022

While a clear night sky might seem quiet and peaceful to us, empty of everything but stars, this nocturnal world…Read More

A close up image of a large moth perched at the tip of a twig with prominent, feather-like antennae

Technology & Data

Student’s device enables researchers to easily track elusive insects

February 24, 2022

With some home security software and a little ingenuity, researchers have developed an inexpensive device that will allow them to…Read More

person with butterfly case in collection

Awards & Honors

Florida Museum honors 2021 Austin, Bullen student research award winners

May 6, 2021

The Florida Museum of Natural History announced the 2021 winners of the Austin and Bullen Awards for student research and…Read More

Philodoria hibiscella moth

Life on Earth

These moths are one of Hawaii’s oldest animal groups. Can they survive the next century?

March 19, 2021

Akito Kawahara was snapping pictures at a scenic outlook in Hawaii when he spotted the moth equivalent of a dodo….Read More

dragonfly on twig

News in Brief

Unsure how to help reverse insect declines? Scientists suggest simple ways

January 11, 2021

Entomologist Akito Kawahara’s message is straightforward: We can’t live without insects. They’re in trouble. And there’s something all of us…Read More

A close-up butterfly

Evolution

In butterfly battle of sexes, males deploy ‘chastity belts’ but females fight back

September 3, 2020

Some male butterflies go to extreme lengths to ensure their paternity – sealing their mate’s genitalia with a waxy “chastity…Read More

Akito Kawahara

News in Brief

Akito Kawahara talks insect declines – and what you can do – with Adam Conover

April 17, 2020

Comedian Adam Conover believed the world would be better off without mosquitoes – until entomologist Akito Kawahara joined his “Factually!”…Read More

orange butterfly drinking from red flower

Evolution

Butterflies and plants evolved in sync, but moth ‘ears’ predated bats

October 21, 2019

Butterflies and moths rank among the most diverse groups in the animal kingdom, with nearly 160,000 known species, ranging from…Read More

Akito holds a box of moth specimens

Awards & Honors

Akito Kawahara named UF Research Foundation professor

April 19, 2019

The University of Florida Research Foundation has named Florida Museum of Natural History researcher Akito Kawahara a UFRF Professor for 2019-2022….Read More

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Contact Info

Florida Museum of Natural History
Gainesville, FL 32611

Media inquiries:
Jerald Pinson, Science Writer

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