moths
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Tag archives for moths
Of flowers and pollinators – a case study of punctuated evolution
Posted by Ed Yong on February 10, 2009 This is the fourth of eight posts on evolutionary research to celebrate Darwin’s bicentennial. Charles Darwin was a visionary in more ways than one. In 1862, Darwin was studying a Malagasy orchid called Angraecum sesquipedale, whose nectar stores lie inaccessibly at the bottom of a 30cm long spur (tube). Darwin predicted that the flower was…
Moths remember what they learn as caterpillars
Posted by Ed Yong on March 4, 2008 The transformation from caterpillar to butterfly or moth is one of the most beguiling in the animal world. Both larva and adult are just stages in the life of a single animal, but are nonetheless completely separated in appearance, habitat and behaviour. The imagery associated with such change is inescapably beautiful, and as entrancing to…
Japanese moths hit by male-killing virus
Posted by Ed Yong on February 27, 2008 Male insects have a tough time of it. Aside from the usual threats of predators, competitors and the odd hungry female, many are plagued by discriminatory parasites intent on killing them, while leaving their female peers unharmed. These “male-killers” are incredibly successful and infect a wide range of insects, who are themselves a very successful…