Scientists are studying a group of tropical butterflies that live up to 25 times longer than their relatives. The Heliconius genus, found in the rainforests of South and Central America, has lifespans that vary wildly. While some species live for just 14 days, others can live for up to 348 days.
Unlocking the Secrets of Longevity
Researchers believe that the key to the butterflies’ longevity lies in their diet. Unlike most butterflies, which feed on flower nectar, the Heliconius species feed on pollen, which provides them with more energy and helps to boost their immunity. The team used a unique device called the ‘Pullinator’ to measure age-related decline in older butterflies and found that the pollen-feeding species showed little or no physiological decline.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Jessica Foley, said that the research could have implications for human health. ‘We see vast differences in lifespan across the animal kingdom — adult mayflies famously live only for a day, whereas some whales and sharks can live for hundreds of years,’ she said. ‘I’m interested in the evolutionary basis of these kinds of lifespan differences because they might hold insights relevant for healthy ageing in humans.’
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
