Butterflies Stun Scientists by Taking Epic 2,600-Mile Transatlantic Flight - GreekReporter.com

Scientists have discovered that painted lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui) have used favorable winds and a strategy of active flying and autopilot for a transatlantic flight without stops, covering at least 4,200 km (2,600 miles). They believe the trip took five to eight days, potentially half the butterflies’ adult lifespan. What’s more, these adventurous animals may actually be flying even longer distances – 7,000 km (4,350 miles) or more – from western Europe to Africa and on to South America. It …