Butterflies' Deceptive 'Second Head' Evolution Explained

Tropical lizards often prey on butterflies, but some butterflies in the Lycaenidae family have evolved deceptive wings, making it hard for predators to identify their vulnerable body parts. A study by entomologists from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram delves into the genetic complexity behind this deception.

Butterfly wings are not appetizing to predators; it's the nutritious body that they seek. The 'false heads' found on the hind end of over 900 lycaenid butterfly species trick predators into attacking the wrong end, resulting in a mouthful of wing scales and a failed meal.

These deceptive tactics allow butterflies to escape with minimal damage to their vital organs, ensuring the survival of their genes for future generations. Different species exhibit various false head characteristics, such as multiple 'antennae' and a red 'eye' in Airamanna columbia, or a mix of realism and dazzling colors in Arawacus aetolus.

Entomologists Tarunkishwor Yumnam and Ullasa Kodandaramaiah analyzed 928 butterfly species to understand the evolution of false head traits like antennae, hindwing spots, colors, contours, and lines. They discovered a close correlation among these traits, indicating a coordinated evolution over generations in response to common predatory pressures.

The researchers concluded that the false head evolved as a collection of anti-predatory features, adapting to survive in the wild. Their findings were published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

According to the source: ScienceAlert.