Discover the Painted Lady Butterflies' Incredible Journey Across the Atlantic

The remarkable journey of the Painted Lady butterflies has been documented by an international team of scientists who have proven that these insects can travel thousands of kilometers across the Atlantic Ocean . In 2013 , Gerard Talavera , an entomologist at the Barcelona Botanical Institute , observed a dozen of these beautiful orange , white , and black butterflies flying over a beach in French Guiana . They are known to migrate regularly from Europe to sub - Saharan Africa , but stopping in various locations along the way . The team of researchers found that the butterflies likely traveled more than 4,200 kilometers to reach the beach , crossing the ocean without a break.

Through 10 years of research , the team has traced the mysterious journey of the butterflies and confirmed their origins . By examining wind conditions , sequencing the genomes of the butterflies , and analyzing isotopes in their wings , the scientists were able to determine that the butterflies likely flew from West Africa to South America . The DNA of pollen grains found on the insects also provided clues about the plants they had visited , which bloom at the end of the rainy season in tropical Africa.

The study revealed that the butterflies could have completed the flight in five to eight days , thanks to extremely favorable wind conditions known as the Saharan Air Layer . These winds also transport dust and sand from the Sahara Desert to South America , fertilizing the Amazon . The research team estimates that without wind assistance , the butterflies could have flown a maximum of 780 kilometers before exhausting all their energy.

The Painted Lady butterflies are not the only species known for their long - haul migrations . The monarch butterfly , for example , travels thousands of miles to overwinter in Mexico . By studying the incredible journey of these butterflies , scientists hope to gain a better understanding of insect migration patterns and how climate change could impact these dispersal patterns worldwide . The researchers emphasize the importance of tracking migratory insects to prevent disruptions to various ecosystems and call for a comprehensive plan to address these risks.