Govind Tekale
Nature continues to amaze us. A small butterfly just flew from Japan to Hong Kong – a distance equal to flying between New York and Las Vegas. This incredible journey shows us how even the smallest creatures can do remarkable things.
A researcher found this special butterfly, known as a Chestnut Tiger, at Hong Kong’s Repulse Bay beach on December 21, 2024. Dr. Yuet Fung Ling spotted something unusual – a tiny sticker on the butterfly’s wing. This sticker showed the butterfly came all the way from Fukushima, Japan, four months earlier.
“It’s an astonishing feat,” says Professor Timothy Bonebrake, who works with Dr. Ling. “For a little insect like this to fly more than 3,000 kilometers and do so for more than 100 days just shows the physiological capacity of these creatures.”
This journey broke the old record from 2011, when another butterfly of the same type flew 2,423 kilometers and lived for 82 days. Only three times have scientists found butterflies that made this incredible trip from Japan to Hong Kong.
The story began at a ski resort in Fukushima, Japan. Here, two researchers, Masayoshi Shimizu and Hiroki Takizawa, spent six days putting small tracking stickers on butterflies. They marked 481 butterflies in total. These stickers help scientists learn where butterflies go and how long they live – information that helps protect these beautiful insects that visit our gardens and parks.
What scientists learn from tracking these butterflies helps them protect the natural places where we and our families enjoy outdoor activities. By understanding where butterflies travel, we can better preserve the parks, gardens, and natural areas that make our communities beautiful.
Similar Posts
After recording its journey, Dr. Ling set the butterfly free. No one knows where it will go next. Scientists need our help to keep track of these amazing insects. If you or your family spot a butterfly with a sticker on its wing, you can report it to the Danaid Butterfly Research Hong Kong project. This helps scientists learn more about these fascinating creatures that share our world.
This discovery shows how scientists from different countries work together to understand nature better. When researchers in Japan and Hong Kong shared their findings, they helped us all learn something new about the natural wonders around us.
This record-breaking butterfly reminds us that nature is full of surprises. Its journey helps scientists protect the butterflies that make our gardens colorful and our outdoor spaces more enjoyable for everyone.
