Butterflies
Where Do Butterflies Migrate From? Clues Can Be Found in Pollen on Their Bodies
Trillions of insects move around the globe each year. Scientists are working on new ways to map those long-distance journeys
Static Electricity May Help Butterflies and Moths Pick Up Pollen
A new study measured the insects' electrostatic charges and used computer simulations to show that the charges were strong enough to lift pollen
See Ten Creepy-Crawly Portraits From the Insect Week Photography Contest
The Royal Entomological Society’s Photography Competition highlights the wonder and diversity of the six-legged creatures that crawl, swim and fly across the planet
These Stunning Butterflies Flew 2,600 Miles Across the Atlantic Ocean Without Stopping
Researchers combined several lines of evidence to solve the mystery of why a group of painted ladies, which do not live in South America, were found fluttering on a beach in French Guiana
Where Did Butterflies Come From? This Scientist Is On the Case
Akito Kawahara has spent his life devoted to lepidoptera. Now he’s correcting the record on where they first evolved
Monarch Butterflies Wintering in California Are Down 30 Percent From Last Year
The insects' population is slowly rebounding from a historic low in 2020, but they remain in crisis, having declined by more than 95 percent since the 1980s
See the World Through the Eyes of Animals With These Stunning New Videos
By making ultraviolet light accessible to our eyes, a novel camera system reveals how insects, birds and other creatures experience color
Seven Scientific Discoveries From 2023 That Could Lead to New Inventions
Biologists learned lots about animals and plants this year, and their findings could inspire better robots, medicine and environmental technologies
See the Rediscovered Still Life by Forgotten 17th-Century Master Clara Peeters
The painting by the influential Flemish artist could sell for as much as $883,000 at auction
Monarch Butterflies’ Signature White Spots May Help Them Fly
These long-distance migrants could get a boost from their striking coloration, which may reduce drag by heating and cooling air unevenly
Butterfly Group With Fiery 'Eyes' Is Named After 'Lord of the Rings' Villain Sauron
Beyond their eye-like wing pattern, the two new species don't seem to show any signs of evil that would link them to Mordor
New York's Natural History Museum Unveils a Canyon-Like New Wing
With butterflies, bugs and an atrium that looks like it's carved into rock, the Gilder Center will open its doors to the public on May 4
A Ring of Fire, Millions of Monarchs and Other Rare Natural Phenomena Worth Traveling For
Be in the right place at the right time to witness these sublime sights
These Awe-Inspiring Images Capture the World's Little Details
See this year's winners of the annual Close-up Photographer of the Year competition
This British Zoologist Wants to Reinvent Color
Andrew Parker has produced some of the brightest hues in the world. So, what’s his secret?
Migratory Monarch Butterflies Are Listed as an Endangered Species
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the iconic North American butterfly is getting closer to extinction
Why Was Purple the Color of Royalty? And More Questions From Our Readers
You've got questions. We've got experts.
Monarch Butterfly Numbers Soar in California After Dramatic Losses
The orange-winged insect's population increased from 2,000 in 2020 to nearly 250,000 in 2021
Ten Scientific Discoveries From 2021 That May Lead to New Inventions
From nanobots to cancer treatments, nature inspires a wide variety of innovations
See Microscopic Butterfly Wing Scales Materialize Inside of a Chrysalis
The study is the most detailed look at the structures to date and could be used to design new materials
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