Some tropical butterflies live 25 times longer than their relatives, and scientists are trying to understand the secrets behind their longevity. The Heliconius genus of butterflies, found in the tropical rainforests of South and Central America, has lifespans that vary wildly. While the Dione juno butterfly lives for 14 days after reaching adulthood, the Heliconius hewitsoni lives for 348 days.

Unusual Diet

Researchers have discovered that the key to the long lifespan of these butterflies may lie in their unusual diet. Most adult butterflies feed exclusively on flower nectar, but the Heliconius species have adapted to feed on pollen, which provides them with more energy and helps them live longer.

The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, found that the pollen-feeding Heliconius species had longer lifespans and slower rates of aging than their non-pollen-feeding relatives. The researchers also found that the butterflies that fed on pollen had better grip strength and maintained their body mass and muscle function for longer.

Implications for Human Longevity

The study’s findings have implications for human longevity, as they suggest that nutrition plays a crucial role in determining lifespan. The researchers believe that the Heliconius butterflies could be a model for understanding the mechanisms of longevity and how to slow down the aging process.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.