In a world first, scientists have discovered that painted lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui) have used favorable winds and a strategy of active flying and autopilot to fly across the world without stops, covering at least 4,200 km (2,600 miles). They believe the trip took five to eight days, potentially half the butterflies’ adult lifespan.
What’s more, these adventurous animals may actually be flying even longer distances – 7,000 km (4,350 miles) or more – from western Europe to Africa and on to South America. It upends what we know about butterfly migration and behavior.
Butterfly takes epic 2,600-mile transatlantic flight, stuns scientists
Incredible ..how they know.
…makes the imagination soar.
When my daughter was young we loved going to butterfly pavilions.
The first time, was like… stepping inside a dream.
(one of your pieces captures the memory and feeling…. maybe influenced by the title?)
(this time of year. my white Buddleja is about to blossom – usually I have a few butterflies just waiting but it is quiet. Once they start feeding, like magic, others just appear. You can get up close to watch – v. interesting)