Butterfly tree of life reveals an origin in North America
About 100 million years ago, a group of trendsetting moths started flying during the day rather than at night, taking…Read More
Family tree of ‘boring’ butterflies shows they’re anything but
Walk a short distance through the Amazon Rainforest, and you might witness what look like dead leaves launch from the…Read More
What is it good for? Absolutely one thing. Luna moths use their tails solely for bat evasion
In a pair of complementary studies, researchers take a close look at Luna moth (Actias luna) tails through the eyes…Read More
Scientists uncover the unexpected identity of mezcal worms
Mezcal is a distilled alcohol made from the boiled and fermented sap of agave plants. Most mezcal beverages — including…Read More
Endowment brings influx of expertise to the McGuire Center
Early in 2022, the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity launched its first travel award program for visiting researchers. A…Read More
Rare and iconic Atala butterflies retain ancient pattern of wing symmetry
Nature seems to have an inexhaustible supply of inspiration when it comes to butterflies. With over 18,000 species, each with…Read More
Tracking the origin of southern California’s latest invasive pest
In 2012, a crop of California’s most prized ornamental trees was overrun by an invisible invader. The growing shoots of…Read More
Moths enlist additional troops in an evolutionary arms race
While a clear night sky might seem quiet and peaceful to us, empty of everything but stars, this nocturnal world…Read More
New hawk moth species are among the smallest ever discovered
Hawk moths are known for being some of the largest night fliers in the insect world. With wingspans of more…Read More
Park rangers use butterflies to take planet’s pulse in a biodiversity hotspot
In 2017, a group of scientists raised alarm bells by showing that flying insects had declined in Germany by more…Read More