Short Wave Butterflies Have Hearts In Their Wings. You'll Never Guess Where They Have Eyes
Jul 30, 2020
Adriana Briscoe, a biology and ecology professor at UC Irvine, specializes in butterfly vision and coloration evolution. She reveals fascinating insights into how butterflies detect colors and why they bask in the sun. Listeners learn about the incredible photoreceptors hidden in their wings and discover that butterflies have small functional 'hearts' that contribute to their survival. Adriana also shares her passion for education and how teachers' representation is vital for diversifying the STEM fields.
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Genital Photoreceptors
- Butterflies have photoreceptors not only in their eyes but also in their genitalia.
- These genital photoreceptors aid females in egg-laying and are essential for male mating.
Butterfly Training
- Adriana Briscoe trains butterflies to fly towards specific colors by associating them with nectar rewards.
- This helps researchers understand how butterflies perceive and seek out colors.
Phototaxis
- Many insects, including butterflies, are drawn to bright light as a survival tactic.
- This helps them escape predators by flying towards gaps in the forest canopy, which are typically brighter.