Question corner | Do insects migrate? Which insect has the longest migration route?

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Question corner | Do insects migrate? Which insect has the longest migration route?


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Many dragonflies, beetles, butterflies, locusts and moths are recognized emigrate throughout the breeding season and the distance travelled varies with species. Most insects journey in massive teams and scientists have been finding out these actions for a number of years.

A current research (PNAS) famous that the painted girl butterfly (Vanessa cardui) could make 12,000 to 14,000 kilometre spherical journeys. This is the longest annual insect migration circuit to date recognized.

Found in sub-Saharan Africa, the butterfly is ready to journey to Europe, crossing the Sahara Desert when climate situations are beneficial. The caterpillars thrive in wetter winter situations of sub-Saharan Africa and the adults migrate to North Africa throughout moist spring. They then cross the Mediterranean Sea to succeed in Europe.

Simulations in the laboratory confirmed that beneficial tailwinds between Africa and Western Europe assist these insects in transcontinental journey. They fly about one to a few kilometres above sea degree with a most velocity of round 6 metres per second. The researchers studied an analogous butterfly species and calculated that the painted girl could have sufficient physique fats to maintain 40 hours of continuous flying.



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