Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy

Long-distance dispersal drives global tropical distributions in a widespread moth lineage (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae)

This study uses phylogenetic analysis to show that long-distance dispersal, not vicariance, primarily shaped the pantropical distribution of the moth genus Parasa.

Dysregulation of pupal diapause in hybrid progenies, introgression and species delimitation within and beyond the Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon Linnaeus) butterfly complex

The paper investigates postzygotic hybrid incompatibility in Papilio machaon butterflies, finding dysregulated diapause in hybrids and linking it to species delimitation.

Association of iridescence and tails with flight proxies suggests that predation drives convergence in skipper butterflies

The paper examines morphological convergence in skipper butterflies, finding that traits like hindwing tails and iridescence are linked to flight performance and antipredator defenses, driven by ecological selection.

Genomics Analysis Illuminates Morphology, Ecology, Phenology and Distribution of Two Cryptic Atrytonopsis Skippers (Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae)

The paper uses genomic analysis to distinguish two cryptic Atrytonopsis skipper species, revealing their genetic uniqueness, phylogenetic relationship, and geographic distribution.

Rediscovery and ecology of the Capulin Mountain Alberta arctic butterfly: informing data collection for rare endemics

This study documents the current distribution, phenology, and habitat of the Capulin Mountain Alberta arctic butterfly, identifying its larval host plant and suggesting areas for future monitoring.

Climate and regional plant richness drive diet specialization in butterfly caterpillars

This study examines how climate and regional plant richness influence diet specialization in butterfly caterpillars using global distribution data.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the swallowtail butterfly Parides eurimedes mylotes is a valuable resource for studying wing coloration

The paper presents a chromosome-level genome assembly for Parides eurimedes mylotes, enabling studies on wing coloration genetics and evolutionary biology.

Mothbox and Mothbot: automated light trap and data processing system for scalable insect monitoring

The paper introduces Mothbox, an open-source automated light trap, and Mothbot, a machine learning tool for processing insect monitoring data, demonstrating their ability to capture insect activity patterns across time and habitats.

From Concrete to Canopy: Illuminating Moth Biodiversity in New York City's Urban Jungle

This study examines urbanization's impact on moth biodiversity in New York City using citizen science and field surveys, finding reduced diversity with greater urbanization and light pollution.

Temporal dynamics of color polymorphism and hybridization in Colias butterflies

The paper examines hybridization and color polymorphism in Colias butterflies over five years, finding hybrid ancestry correlates with intermediate phenotypes but not exclusively.

Patterns of host plant use by monarch butterflies revealed through annotation of more than 35,000 community science records

This paper analyzes over 35,000 community science records to document monarch butterfly host plant interactions, revealing seasonal host shifts and the impact of non-native milkweeds on breeding range.

Spatiotemporal patterns of breeding challenge the successive broods model in a migratory butterfly

This study challenges the successive broods model by showing western monarch butterflies exhibit a diffusion-like expansion of breeding rather than sequential generational replacement.

Mixture Models Unveil the Origin of the Enigmatic Satyrine Butterfly Genera Calisto and Llorenteana (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae).

The paper uses genomic data and phylogenetic methods to resolve the origins of two Satyrinae butterfly genera, finding Calisto originated from Old World ancestors and Llorenteana split early in Euptychiina.

Replaying the Tape: Comparative Genomics of Color Pattern in Heliconius

This study investigates convergent wing pattern evolution in Heliconius butterflies using GWAS, comparative genomics, and machine learning, identifying both known and novel genetic loci associated with color patterns.

Near chromosome-level genome assembly of Neomusotima conspurcatalis gives insights into the evolution of moth genome architecture and fern-insect interactions

The paper presents a near-chromosome genome assembly of a moth used in biological control of an invasive fern, revealing conserved genome structure and odorant receptor gene expansions linked to host specificity.

The perceptual and spatial architecture of Mullerian mimicry in Heliconius Butterflies

The paper quantifies mimetic similarity in Heliconius butterflies using deep learning and visual system models, revealing geographic organization and perceptual asymmetry in mimicry.

The gene ivory:mir-193 controls scale type differentiation in Heliconius butterflies

The paper identifies ivory:mir-193 as a master regulator of scale type differentiation in Heliconius butterflies, showing it converts Type II scales to Type I and influences Type III scale development through readthrough transcription.

Do camera light traps for moths provide similar data as conventional funnel light traps?

This study compares automated camera light traps (CLTs) with conventional funnel light traps (FLTs) for moth monitoring, finding CLTs perform well overall but under-sample active species like Sphingidae and over-sample calmer species like Geometridae.

Environmental Variation Promotes Convergent Evolution and Rapid Diversification of Wing Shape and Color in Skipper Butterflies

The paper investigates how antipredator traits in skipper butterflies evolve in response to environmental variation, finding convergent evolution and rapid diversification of wing shape and color.

Temperature and Ultraviolet Radiation Drive Divergent Visible and Near-Infrared Reflectance Patterns in Butterflies

This study shows that butterfly visible and near-infrared reflectance respond differently to temperature and UV radiation, with phylogeny influencing trait-environment relationships.

A shared gene but distinct dynamics regulate mimicry polymorphisms in closely related species

The paper investigates how a shared gene, doublesex, regulates distinct mimicry polymorphisms in two closely related butterfly species through different developmental mechanisms.

Anthropogenic factors explain wing colour variation in Colias (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) across the Toronto urbanization gradient

The paper examines how urbanization metrics affect wing color variation in Colias butterflies, suggesting human disturbance influences hybridization rates.

Elevational patterns in two groups of micromoths (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae, Alucitidae) in tropical forests of Mount Cameroon

This study examines elevational patterns in two micromoth families on Mount Cameroon, finding distinct diversity peaks and community shifts with elevation.

Think Before You List: Integrative Systematics of an 'Endemic and Critically Endangered' Butterfly in the Sundarbans

The paper reclassifies the Sundarbans Crow butterfly as a subspecies of E. core, challenging its previous status as a distinct species and highlighting the need for integrative systematics in conservation.

Aposematic color patterns are the dominant axis of phenotypic diversification in Nymphalid butterflies

The paper uses computer vision to analyze wing color patterns in Nymphalid butterflies, finding that aposematism is the dominant axis of phenotypic diversification.

Müllerian mimicry in Neotropical butterflies: One mimicry ring to bring them all, and in the jungle bind them

This study examines spatial patterns of Mullerian mimicry in Neotropical butterflies, revealing convergent climatic niches and vulnerability to climate change.

Lepidoptera Diversity, Richness, and Distribution in Semi-Urban Farmland and other Habitats around Lumbini, Rupandehi

This study documents Lepidoptera diversity in semi-urban farmland and other habitats around Lumbini, Nepal, finding higher species richness in shrublands and agricultural areas.

Larger and polymorphic noctuid moths tend to show less inter-annual abundance variation in the canopy of a temperate forest

The paper examines inter-annual abundance variation in noctuid moths, finding that larger and polymorphic species show less variation, while feeding preferences influence peak abundance timing.

Genomics of Neotropical biodiversity indicators: two butterfly radiations with rampant chromosomal rearrangements and hybridisation

This study examines two Neotropical butterfly radiations, revealing high rates of hybridization and chromosomal rearrangements as drivers of diversification.

Convergent molecular evolution associated with repeated transitions to gregarious larval behaviour in Heliconiini

The paper identifies convergent molecular evolution in Heliconiini butterflies associated with repeated transitions to gregarious larval behavior, focusing on genomic and transcriptomic changes.