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A trans-oceanic flight of over 4,200 km by painted lady butterflies

Author

Listed:
  • Tomasz Suchan

    (Polish Academy of Sciences)

  • Clément P. Bataille

    (University of Ottawa)

  • Megan S. Reich

    (University of Ottawa)

  • Eric Toro-Delgado

    (CSIC-CMCNB
    Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Univ. Pompeu Fabra))

  • Roger Vila

    (Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Univ. Pompeu Fabra))

  • Naomi E. Pierce

    (Harvard University)

  • Gerard Talavera

    (CSIC-CMCNB
    Harvard University)

Abstract

The extent of aerial flows of insects circulating around the planet and their impact on ecosystems and biogeography remain enigmatic because of methodological challenges. Here we report a transatlantic crossing by Vanessa cardui butterflies spanning at least 4200 km, from West Africa to South America (French Guiana) and lasting between 5 and 8 days. Even more, we infer a likely natal origin for these individuals in Western Europe, and the journey Europe-Africa-South America could expand to 7000 km or more. This discovery was possible through an integrative approach, including coastal field surveys, wind trajectory modelling, genomics, pollen metabarcoding, ecological niche modelling, and multi-isotope geolocation of natal origins. The overall journey, which was energetically feasible only if assisted by winds, is among the longest documented for individual insects, and potentially the first verified transatlantic crossing. Our findings suggest that we may be underestimating transoceanic dispersal in insects and highlight the importance of aerial highways connecting continents by trade winds.

Suggested Citation

  • Tomasz Suchan & Clément P. Bataille & Megan S. Reich & Eric Toro-Delgado & Roger Vila & Naomi E. Pierce & Gerard Talavera, 2024. "A trans-oceanic flight of over 4,200 km by painted lady butterflies," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-49079-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49079-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Diana L. Huestis & Adama Dao & Moussa Diallo & Zana L. Sanogo & Djibril Samake & Alpha S. Yaro & Yossi Ousman & Yvonne-Marie Linton & Asha Krishna & Laura Veru & Benjamin J. Krajacich & Roy Faiman & J, 2019. "Windborne long-distance migration of malaria mosquitoes in the Sahel," Nature, Nature, vol. 574(7778), pages 404-408, October.
    2. Shuai Zhan & Wei Zhang & Kristjan Niitepõld & Jeremy Hsu & Juan Fernández Haeger & Myron P. Zalucki & Sonia Altizer & Jacobus C. de Roode & Steven M. Reppert & Marcus R. Kronforst, 2014. "The genetics of monarch butterfly migration and warning colouration," Nature, Nature, vol. 514(7522), pages 317-321, October.
    3. Matthew M. Kling & David D. Ackerly, 2020. "Global wind patterns and the vulnerability of wind-dispersed species to climate change," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 10(9), pages 868-875, September.
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