In Italy's Alps, scientists turn to tropical butterflies

July 1, 2024 6:17 AM

In Italy's Alps, scientists turn to tropical butterflies to solve biodiversity crisis. Butterflies are flying free in a picturesque forest recently created in the Italian Alps to help with biodiversity research.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (5 comments total)

Adding a detail to the lede - the butterflies are actually in a very big greenhouse/vivarium in that forest. It's not like scientists just set the butterflies free, which is what I'd feared.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:26 AM on July 1, 2024 [2 favorites]

I definitely thought it said "turn IN TO butterflies", but this neat too. That would have been way cooler, though.
posted by atomicstone at 6:57 AM on July 1, 2024

You see what happens when you find a Rhapolocera in the Alps?
posted by gurple at 10:18 AM on July 1, 2024

adding another detail: the scientists are associated with a museum that describes itself as "more than a museum!" that said, it appears to be a neat museum also [muse.it]
posted by HearHere at 11:21 AM on July 1, 2024

Me, too, Emperess. Me too.
Went from grrrr to nice story.
(begins thinking about possible Jurassic Butterfly movie)
posted by BlueHorse at 3:29 PM on July 1, 2024 [1 favorite]