A team of experts from the University of Exeter in the UK have discovered a migration route for insects through a 30-meter wide ravine in the Pyrenees Mountains. This passage serves as a vital route for more than 17 million insects annually. The researchers published their findings in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences on June 11.
The migration includes various species of insects, with up to 3,000 flies passing through the ravine at a rate of one meter per minute. The marmalade flies were first observed by British ornithologists Elizabeth and David Lack in 1950, who noticed large numbers of flies mimicking jam bees migrating through the mountains.
The current research team, led by Will Hawkes, confirmed that the migration is still ongoing and observed different species of insects participating in the journey. In addition to marmalade flies, white cabbage butterflies, Dragonflies, and house flies were also observed migrating through the ravine. The team used cameras, nets, and keen observation skills to record the migration.
The unique combination of high mountains and wind patterns in the Pyrenees makes this high-altitude insect migration visible and observable from the ground. Karl Wotton, research team leader, hopes that their findings will raise awareness about the importance of insect habitats and promote conservation efforts to protect these essential creatures.
Insect populations are rapidly declining worldwide due to habitat loss and pesticide use. Understanding this large-scale insect migration is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies to protect these vital creatures.
The discovery of this unique migratory route has opened up new avenues for further research into insect behavior and ecology. The researchers hope that their work will contribute to a better understanding of how climate change affects biodiversity and inform future conservation efforts in this region and beyond.
Overall, this remarkable discovery highlights the importance of preserving natural habitats like those found in the Pyrenees Mountains for insect survival. As we continue to learn more about these fascinating creatures’ migratory patterns, we can work towards developing effective conservation strategies that protect them for generations to come.