Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy

Mutualisms within light microhabitats drive sensory convergence in a mimetic butterfly community

The paper shows that light microhabitats in forests drive sensory convergence and divergence in mimetic butterflies' visual systems through mutualistic interactions.

Phylogeny, systematics and evolution of mimicry patterns in Neotropical limenitidine butterflies

This study reconstructs the phylogeny of Neotropical limenitidine butterflies to explore the evolution of mimicry patterns and their relationship with speciation.

Correlated evolution of multiple traits gives butterflies a false head

The paper investigates the evolution of false head traits in butterflies, finding that these traits evolved together in a correlated manner, likely due to shared selective pressures for predator deflection.

Genetic parallelism underpins convergent mimicry coloration across Lepidoptera

This study identifies shared genetic mechanisms underlying convergent mimicry coloration in Lepidoptera, showing that non-coding regions near ivory and optix genes are consistently associated with color pattern switches across distantly related species.

Gene loss associated with plasticity-first evolution in Heliconius butterflies

The paper traces the evolution of cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis in Heliconius butterflies, showing gene loss and duplication linked to plasticity-first evolution and specialization in sequestration.

On wing pattern and wing shape evolution in Giant Silk Moths: Lessons from wing development in Luna and Polyphemus Moths

This study shows that heparin and dextran sulfate alter wing patterns and shapes in Luna and Polyphemus Moths, revealing insights into phenotypic plasticity and homologies in wing patterns.

Stronger bat predation and weaker environmental constraints predict longer moth tails

The paper evaluates the evolutionary balance between bat predation pressure and environmental constraints on moth tail length using phylogenetic and ecological data.

Not All Butterflies Are Monarchs: Compass Systems in the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), a European Diurnal Migrant

This study investigates compass orientation in red admirals, finding they use solar cues without time compensation and lack magnetic sensing, contrasting with monarch butterflies.

The role of a non-native host plant in altering the seasonal dynamics of monarch development

This study shows that a non-native host plant allows monarch butterflies to develop later in the fall, altering their seasonal life cycle.

Genetic basis of an adaptive polymorphism controlling butterfly silver iridescence

This study identifies the genetic basis of silver iridescence polymorphism in Mormon Fritillary butterflies, linking it to the optix gene and showing evidence of selection and introgression.

Perceptual maps reveal rampant convergence in butterfly wing patterns across the Neotropics

The paper uses citizen science data to analyze wing pattern similarity in Neotropical butterflies, revealing widespread convergence in mimicry rings across regions.

Phylogeography and diversification of the Pieris napi species group in the Western Palaearctic

This study uses genomic data to analyze the phylogenetic relationships, population structure, and ecological differentiation of the Pieris napi species group in the Western Palaearctic, revealing two main clades and key climatic drivers of adaptation.

On the origin of an insular hybrid butterfly lineage

The paper identifies a hybrid butterfly lineage in the Baltic Sea, showing it originated from hybridization between two non-sister species and persisted through climate change.

Environmental, Developmental, and Genetic Conditions Shaping Monarch Butterfly Migration Behavior

This study investigates factors shaping monarch butterfly migration behavior using flight simulators and finds that altitude, wind, and environmental cues are critical for migratory traits.

Gene family evolution reveals dietary adaptations in butterflies and moths

This study identifies lineage-specific gene families in butterflies and moths, revealing dietary adaptations linked to plant detoxification and horizontal gene transfer.

Long-term population dynamics of an endangered butterfly are influenced by hurricane-mediated disturbance

This study uses 35 years of mark-recapture data to show that hurricane-mediated disturbance positively influences Schaus swallowtail butterfly population sizes.

ERGA-BGE genome of the Spanish Moon Moth Graellsia isabellae Graells, 1849: a nocturnal lepidopteran protected by the Habitats Directive

The paper presents the reference genome of the Spanish Moon Moth Graellsia isabellae, which helps resolve its scientific name and supports genetic monitoring of the species.

The ivory lncRNA regulates seasonal color patterns in buckeye butterflies

The paper identifies ivory, a conserved lncRNA, as the color pattern gene at the cortex locus in buckeye butterflies, showing how cis-regulatory elements of ivory influence seasonal color variation.

Dorsoventral comparison of intraspecific polymorphisms in the butterfly wing pattern using a convolutional neural network

The paper uses a convolutional neural network to compare dorsoventral wing patterns in butterflies, finding dorsal bias in sexual dimorphism but not in female-limited mimetic polymorphism.

Eyespots originated multiple times independently across the Lepidoptera

The paper investigates the evolutionary origins of eyespots in Lepidoptera, finding multiple independent origins of Discal and Marginal eyespots and concluding they are not homologous.

From the formation of embryonic appendages to the color of wings: Conserved and novel roles of aristaless1 in butterfly development

This study investigates the developmental role of aristaless1 in butterfly wing coloration, finding it regulates pigment synthesis and expression through Wnt signaling.

Lepidoptera genomics based on 88 chromosomal reference sequences informs population genetic parameters for conservation

This study uses long-read sequencing to analyze 88 Lepidoptera genomes, identifying genomic signatures linked to conservation concerns like low heterozygosity and high inbreeding.

Functional unit and regulatory mechanisms of supergene in female-limited Batesian mimicry of Papilio polytes

The paper identifies the functional unit of a supergene in Papilio polytes, showing that multiple genes within and outside an inversion region control mimicry traits.

Hierarchical Morphogenesis of Swallowtail Butterfly Wing Scale Nanostructures

This study investigates the developmental morphogenesis of hierarchical nanostructures in swallowtail butterfly wing scales, revealing a novel role for F-actin in shaping complex structural color patterns.

Developmental, cellular, and biochemical basis of transparency in the glasswing butterfly Greta oto

The paper investigates the developmental and structural basis of wing transparency in the glasswing butterfly Greta oto, identifying reduced scale precursor cell density and wax-based nanopillars as key features.

Genomics of a complete butterfly continent

The paper sequences all butterfly species in North America north of Mexico to study diversification patterns and adaptation mechanisms across their evolutionary history.

Evidence that a major subpopulation of fall armyworm found in the Western Hemisphere is rare or absent in Africa, which may limit the range of crops at risk of infestation.

The paper tests for strain-specific mating behaviors in fall armyworm in Africa and finds evidence that the R-strain is rare or absent, suggesting limited crop risk from this strain.

apterous A Specifies Dorsal Wing Patterns And Sexual Traits In Butterflies

This study identifies apterous A as a key regulator of surface-specific wing pattern differentiation in butterflies, showing its dual role in repressing ventral patterns and promoting dorsal sexual ornaments.

DNA barcodes and insights into the phylogenetic relationships of butter-flies of the genus Eurema (Pieridae) from Uttarakhand, India

The paper uses DNA barcoding to identify four Eurema species from Uttarakhand, India, and examines their phylogenetic relationships using molecular data.