Butterfly and Moth Genomes Unchanged Over 250 Million Years, Study Finds

Despite vast species diversity, the genetic foundation of these insects has remained stable, offering insights into evolution and conservation.

The most comprehensive analysis to date reveals that butterfly and moth genomes have remained largely unchanged for over 250 million years, despite their vast diversity in appearance.
Researchers analyzed over 200 high-quality chromosome-level genomes to understand the evolutionary history of these insects, identifying 32 ancestral chromosome building blocks.
A few species, including the blue butterflies and cabbage white butterflies, have undergone significant genetic rearrangements, challenging the idea that stable chromosomes limit diversification.
The study contributes to the Darwin Tree of Life Project and the Earth BioGenome Project, aiming to sequence all named species on Earth for conservation efforts.
Butterflies and moths are crucial pollinators and indicators of ecosystem health, and the findings could inform future conservation strategies.