Painted ladies, typically known for long migrations over land, shocked entomologist Roger Vila Gerard Talavera when he found them in French Guiana, far from their usual range. Research led by Talavera suggests that these butterflies traveled 2,600 miles across the Atlantic from West Africa with the help of favorable winds. Tracking migrating insects is challenging, but the team used various methods such as weather data, genetic sequencing, and pollen analysis to confirm the butterflies’ origin and journey. This groundbreaking discovery showcases the importance of wind conditions in insect migration and opens up new possibilities for understanding these remarkable journeys.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-stunning-butterflies-flew-2600-miles-across-the-atlantic-ocean-without-stopping-180984602/