Scientists have found the first evidence of insects crossing an entire ocean — after finding butterflies that made a 2,600-mile journey across the Atlantic.
Insect migrations aren't uncommon, but they're difficult to track. Scientists usually rely on records from amateur insect watchers and radar coverage to study insect movements, but these are limited and not always reliable. By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.To work out how the painted lady butterflies got to French Guiana, the researchers pulled together multiple strands of evidence. They sequenced the butterflies' genomes, which revealed that they were closely related to populations in Europe and Africa.
Painted lady butterflies are already known to migrate up to 9,000 miles between Europe and Africa, including crossing the unforgiving expanse of the Sahara. To resolve this part of the mystery, the scientists analyzed wind currents that rise from the Sahara and blow dust from Africa to the Americas. They found that by gliding upon these aerial highways, the butterflies could complete their remarkable journey.