lepidopterology – Kettinki

2024-02-21 @ 18.56.02 ∈ In English

Analysis shows butterfly and moth genomes are mostly unchanged despite 250 million years of evolution

The team found not only were chromosomes incredibly stable, but the order of genes within them was too. […] However, researchers uncovered a rare subset of species such as the blue butterflies—Lysandra—and the group containing cabbage white butterflies—Pieris—that underwent extensive chromosome reshuffling[.]

2024-01-18 @ 11.56.28 ∈ In English

(TIL: Word-initial ff)

Butterflies could lose spots as climate warms

[New] study shows the eyespot variation is caused by thermal plasticity (the ability to react to changing temperatures) [instead of genetic polymorphism (the co-existence of multiple genetic forms in a single population)."

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.

2023-11-24 @ 10.26.38 ∈ In English

Moth found in West London is a new species from Australia

In 2021 an amateur moth-er living in Ealing, West London, opened her moth trap to find something she didn’t recognise. […] Detailed analysis of the moth, including both morphology and DNA, revealed that the insect was indeed a new species to science, but one that is native to Western Australia rather than Ealing.

2023-11-13 @ 19.28.16 ∈ In English

Mysterious new moth species discovered in Europe

The moth, named Mirlatia arcuata, […] is one of the most remarkable discoveries in Lepidoptera of recent decades. […] Initial genetic data from the mitochondrial COI barcode, as well as characteristics of the tympanal organ (auditory organ), point to a largely independent systematic position of the species.

2023-08-12 @ 15.21.18 ∈ Suomeksi

Harvinainen jättiperhonen havaittu pohjoiskarjalaisen hevostallin ikkunalta

Pohjois-Karjalan Valtimolla on havaittu Suomen oloissa harvinainen jättiperhonen. Noin kymmensenttinen oleanterikiitäjä elää tavallisesti subtrooppisella alueella Afrikassa.

2023-07-13 @ 14.50.32 ∈ In English

Small-winged and lighter colored butterflies likely to be at greatest threat from climate change

Butterflies from the Lycaenidae family which have small, bright, and often iridescent, wings had the poorest thermal buffering and low thermal tolerance. […] A trade-off in terms of butterflies' cooling strategies was observed: those that were good at thermal buffering were less good at thermal tolerance and vice versa.

2023-06-27 @ 19.13.01 ∈ In English

Seasonal specialization in butterflies determines responses to a changing climate

"The small white butterfly is better than the green-veined white butterfly at reproducing over the summer but has poorer winter survival. It appears to be a 'summer specialist' and the green-veined white butterfly a 'winter specialist.'"

2023-06-27 @ 17.08.03 ∈ Suomeksi

Lapissa suojellaan niin harvinaista perhosta, että edes sen nimeä ei saa kertoa julkisuuteen

Kyseessä on erityisesti ja kiireellisesti suojeltava perhoslaji, joka on äärimmäisen uhanalainen. Koko Pohjoismaissa sitä on tiettävästi havaittu vain muutamilla paikoilla.

2023-06-14 @ 19.35.34 ∈ In English

Climate change has increased diversity of butterflies in Sweden and Finland, may have major ecosystem consequences

New research shows that butterflies have expanded their ranges over the past 120 years to cope with a warmer climate in Sweden and Finland. Although driven by a warmer climate, range expansions have also been influenced by human land use and vary according to species thermal tolerances and habitat preferences.