lepidopterology – Kettinki

2025-09-20 @ 14.34.31 ∈ In English

Australian scientists grapple with ‘despicable’ butterfly heist

Almost eight decades after Colin Wyatt stole and then vandalized thousands of precious Australian butterfly specimens, scientists are still untangling his web of deception.

2025-08-28 @ 19.20.35 ∈ Suomeksi

Päiväaktiivisten yöperhosten suuremmat kuuloelimet kyseenalaistavat olettamukset niiden evoluutiosta | Helsingin yliopisto

Tutkijat tekivät odottamattoman löydön: päiväaktiivisilla yöperhosilla on suuremmat korvat kuin niiden yöaktiivisilla sukulaisilla. Havainto on yllättävä, koska päiväaktiiviset lajit eivät joudu kaikuluotaavien lepakoiden saalistamiksi.

2025-08-25 @ 16.51.03 ∈ In English

(Earlier: Why the UK’s butterflies are booming in 2025)

Why are we seeing so many butterflies in Ireland this year?

Another reason for the 2025 butterfly boom is the weather in Europe. Hot, dry weather creates drought, and butterflies capable of migration escape by altitudinal and geographical migration. By moving north, Clouded Yellow, Large White, Small White, Red Admiral and Painted Lady butterflies can find succulent foodplants for their caterpillars.

2025-08-05 @ 17.33.45 ∈ In English

Southern Small White reaches Britain for first time

The long-anticipated first British records of Southern Small White have occurred this summer, with recent sightings from Cleveland and Suffolk.

2025-08-05 @ 17.13.54 ∈ In English

Midwestern butterfly count: Big data yields bad news and clues

59 of the 136 species declined in abundance over the study. That means for every 10 species and 100 individuals present at a county at the beginning of the study period, there are now only nine species and 60 individuals.

2025-05-09 @ 7.11.26 ∈ In English

European Red Admiral butterfly sighted for first time in Himachal’s Dhauladhar mountain range

The species was observed near Dharamshala in the Dhauladhar mountain range, marking its maiden appearance in the country. […] Interestingly, there remain no confirmed records of the species from China, Mongolia, or Afghanistan[.]

2025-01-07 @ 14.26.44 ∈ In English

(From 2017)

Please, enough with the dead butterflies! - Emily S. Damstra

This is an unnatural position for the wings; it’s a pose that may be possible for the insect to assume in life, but not a position that most species typically assume.

2024-10-02 @ 16.50.06 ∈ In English

Clearwing tropical moths travel 4,500 miles from Guyana to Port Talbot

[The moths] were spotted on a windowsill in the winter by ecologist Daisy Cadet and her mother Ashleigh in what scientists have described as an "improbable event" that "defies rational explanation". Through DNA analysis, the scientists confirmed the moths were not only a non-UK species, they were also previously unknown to science.

2024-07-15 @ 16.59.40 ∈ Suomeksi

Suomeen pölähti yllättäen satojatuhansia perhosia, jotka ovat täällä harvinaisia

Vaelluksen seurauksena tarharengaskehrääjiä havaittiin runsaasti Helsingin ja Hangon välisellä alueella, erityisesti Inkoon ja Kirkkonummen välillä. Yhden yön aikana perhosharrastajien valopisteille kehrääjiä saapui jopa satoja. Kaikkiaan Suomeen vaelsi arviolta satoja tuhansia perhosia.

2024-07-05 @ 10.15.23 ∈ In English

Identifier Profile: @k8thegr8 · iNaturalist

If you’re photographing a caterpillar, Kate recommends getting at least three photos: one the top of the caterpillar, one of the side showing all the sets of legs, and a photo of the face (aka head capsule). It’s also really important to note the host plant (or make an observation of the host plant and get it identified on iNat). Even then, she reminds us that not all caterpillars (or adults) can be identified to the species level from photos alone.