Group of Butterflies Flies Across the Atlantic Ocean for the First Time in History
In a remarkable display of natural migration, painted lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui) have achieved an unprecedented feat by crossing the Atlantic Ocean, covering a distance of over 4200 km. This astonishing journey, documented by an international team of researchers led by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), marks a significant milestone in our understanding of insect dispersal and resilience. Published in *Nature Communications*, the study involved a multidisciplinary approach to unravel the mystery of how these butterflies managed such a formidable journey. Initially spotted on the Atlantic beaches of French Guiana in October 2013, far from their known habitats in Europe and Africa, the butterflies sparked curiosity about their origin and route. Through meticulous analysis of wind patterns, genetic diversity, pollen DNA, and stable isotopes from butterfly wings, the researchers pieced together a compelling narrative. They determined that the butterflies ...
