Institute of Evolutionary Biology

2025-09-10 @ 18.13.52 ∈ In English

The tale of the creature with the most chromosomes

The Atlas blue [butterfly has been] confirmed as having the highest number of chromosomes out of all multicellular animals in the world. This insect boasts 229 pairs of chromosomes, while many of its close relatives have only 23 or 24 pairs.

2024-07-05 @ 9.59.36 ∈ In English

(From last week)

Butterflies cross Atlantic ocean on 2,600-mile non-stop flight never recorded in any insect before

Painted lady butterflies discovered in French Guiana — thousands of miles from their usual habitats — got there through a Herculean transoceanic flight.

2024-01-09 @ 12.49.58 ∈ In English

(The Catalan populations rely on postural thermoregulation, if I’m reading the study correctly.)

Study finds Spanish butterflies are better at regulating their body temperature than their British cousins

Butterflies in both countries switch from heat-seeking to heat-avoiding behavior once air temperatures reach approximately 22°C. [British populations depend] more on microclimates for thermoregulation than Catalan populations.