Events

Today is the Learn about butterflies day! Let us dive a little bit into the evolutionary history of butterflies, and we can readily establish that indeed these insects should be celebrated! One of many reasons why, is the fact that without them, the world would not have been as brightly colored as it is now.

The order Lepidoptera

Lepidoptera, the order of insects which includes butterflies and moths, is one of the largest and most widespread insect orders in the world, with about 160,000 described species. In the last decades, research to Lepidoptera evolution has become more and more advanced (https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/pdf/10.1146/annurev-ento-031616-035125). The first research started in the 1970s with morphological studies, i.e., research into the shape and form of Lepidoptera species to classify them in different classes. Later, research advanced to the use of molecular techniques to acquire elaborate data on DNA sequences. This enabled researchers to classify about 46 superfamilies within the Lepidoptera group.

The oldest Lepidopteran fossil is from an organism living in the early Jurassic (193 million years ago). Unfortunately, the Lepidopteran fossil record is limited due to the high fragility of the scale-covered wings and bodies. Still, data suggests that the Lepidoptera order played a huge role in the large-scale radiation and diversification of angiosperms (flowering plants). Angiosperms are now the most diverse and largest group within the plant kingdom, with about 300.000 species, representing 80% of all known green plants. They are the plants that produce flowers and seeds.

Coevolution

But how can butterflies influence the formation of so many different species of flowering plants? This happened because of the process of coevolution. Coevolution is the evolutionary change of multiple populations or species as a result of the interactions between those populations or species. Butterflies feed on nectar, which could be produced by the angiosperms. Angiosperms are insect-pollinated plants, meaning that the transport of reproductive material relies on insect traffic going from one plant to another. So, both species groups depend on each other to survive and reproduce. This led to the opportunity for even more specific plant-pollinator  interactions. 

A pollinator can be generalized, i.e., it can feed on multiple species of nectariferous plants, or it can be specialized, i.e., it has specific features that are compatible with only one nectariferous species. The same applies for the plants, they can be pollinated by several species or they can be specialized and adapt in such a way that only one pollinator species can pollinate. Being a specializer, both as a pollinator and as a plant, comes with certain advantages. For the plant, pollination can become more efficient and less pollen is wasted. For the pollinator, a ‘private’ food source means less competition with other species. This ‘selective advantage’ to become specializers led to the great diversification of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) and angiosperms (flowering plants). 

Coevolution: P. apollo and its host plants

What does this mean for the Apollo butterfly and its host plants? The Apollo butterfly lives on open, rocky slopes and alpine meadows in the mountains. It is specialized to feed on the plants that occur in these habitats and the plants depend on the Apollo for pollination and thereby their reproduction. This shows the delicate interactive balance between flora and fauna in these ecosystems, and the necessity to preserve all the important actors.

So let’s celebrate today as The learn about butterflies day and take some time to appreciate their role in the evolution of flowers!

To extra celebrate the Apollo butterfly, you can now test your knowledge in a quiz! Browse our website for information if you do not know the answer and try to get as many points as possible. 

Who do you think came first, the butterfly or the flowering plant?

The LIFEApollo2020 project includes educational activities aiming at raising awareness about the need of preserving the Parnassius apollo butterfly. This species serves as an umbrella species, meaning its well-being reflects the overall health of its habitat. By focusing on the conservation of this flagship species, the project indirectly addresses the conservation needs of the entire ecosystem it inhabits. Moreover, the project emphasizes inclusivity by actively involving the broader community in environmental conservation efforts and promoting social responsibility. Through workshops and hands-on activities, participants are engaged in learning about the life cycle and ecological significance of the Apollo butterfly.

School Workshops in Austria:

As part of the LIFEApollo 2020 project, our Austrian partner, the European Wilderness Society, in collaboration with butterfly expert Otto Feldner, conducted  numerous engaging workshops in various Austrian schools, from kinder-gardens to high schools. These workshops were designed to capture the attention and curiosity of students and to create an interactive learning environment. 

Throughout these sessions, students were introduced to the captivating world of Apollo butterflies, delving into every stage of their life cycle, from eggs to fully developed adults. Vital topics such as habitat requirements, overwintering behaviors, and the significance of specific feeding plants essential for Apollo butterflies were covered in detail. Notably, these workshops ignited a sense of enthusiasm among students, who eagerly shared their knowledge about butterflies. This enthusiastic response underscores the importance of fostering a connection between young minds and the natural world.

Creation of Apollo Gardens:

The LIFEApollo2020 project also aims to build Apollo gardens, unique spaces dedicated to cultivating food plants essential for the caterpillars and butterflies of the Apollo species. In Austria, two such gardens were established, one involving secondary school students and the other engaging children from a kindergarten. These gardens not only served as educational tools but also as practical conservation measures. Students eagerly participated in their production, and during construction, the significance of plants that attract butterflies—especially the vital Sedum for the Apollo caterpillar—was highlighted. The success of the Apollo Gardens was evident through the satisfaction expressed by smiling students and teachers involved in the activity.

Nature Festival:

In Autumn, European Wilderness Society took an advantage of the chance to reach a wider audience by participating in the “Fest der Natur” event in Wels, Austria. EWS was one of more than thirty exhibitors that presented presented nature conservation initiatives. The engaging event featured interactive games and content designed to educate both younger and older about the importance and protection of the Parnassius apollo butterfly. By providing a platform for participants to actively learn and engage in nature conservation, the event highlighted the broader significance of protecting local nature and biodiversity. The positive response and varied program ensured that the project’s message resonated effectively.

In October, LIFE Apollo2020 was presented at two significant conferences!

1) The European Congress of Entomology 2023 (ECE 2023)

The congress took place in Heraklion, Crete, from the 16th to the 20th of October. This international event was an important meeting for more than 1000 entomologists and enthusiasts from the European Union, as well as representatives from overseas (UK, USA, Australia). The diversity of attendees transformed ECE 2023 into a global gathering, enabling a rich exchange of ideas and experiences.

The congress offered a truly comprehensive program, involving thematic sessions such as invasion biology and climate change, ecology and behavior, biodiversity and conservation, and much more. Workshops, poster presentations, excursions and hundreds of lectures provided the participants with the unique opportunity to learn about the latest research and developments in the field.

Our team member Tomáš E. Vondřejc held a scientific poster presentation on “Conservation of Parnassius apollo in Poland, Czech Republic and Austria under the theme of “Biodiversity and Conservation“. The project LIFE Apollo2020 made a great impression, capturing the attention of dozens of individuals with a keen interest in the conservation of P. apollo butterflies. Particularly captivating were the specifics of Apollos’ breeding farms and their operation. The innovative approach of using dogs for butterfly identification sparked broad interest as well, opening possibilities for the application of this measure in various conservation projects.

Throughout the congress, Tomáš had the opportunity to engage in conversations with numerous experts in the field, notably those involved in other LIFE projects with similar focuses, such as SouthLIFE and LIFE for Pollinators. The Project LIFEApollo2020 also caught an attention of the CINEA representatives from the European Commission, leading to a detailed discussion about the project. The outcome was successful, with LIFE Apollo2020 being pointed out as an exemplary case of good practice in their presentation, positioning it as one of the most outstanding species-focused projects for implementation.

The Apollo Project team is very grateful to be a part of ECE2023 and looks forward to future opportunities.

2) Apollo butterfly – research, protection, and monitoring

The LIFEApollo2020 team from Poland and Czechia participated from 19^th to 20^th October in the scientific conference ‘Apollo butterfly – research, protection, and monitoring’ in Červený Kláštor, Slovakia. Thanks to the event organized by Pieninský národný park (PIENAP) and Pieniński Park Narodowy (PPN), we had the opportunity to present our project to a broader international community of scientists and practitioners.

Our team delivered three presentations in total. Tomasz Suchan from Instytut Botaniki im. W. Szafera Polskiej Akademii Nauk w Krakowie discussed ‘Genetic research of the Apollo butterfly as part of the LIFE Apollo2020 project’, David Číp, representing Skupina JARO shared insights on ‘Experience in the protection and breeding of the Apollo butterfly within the JARO Group‘, and lastly, Dariusz Kuś from Karkonoski Park Narodowy addressed ‘Active protection of the Apollo butterfly in Karkonoski National Park – the LIFE Apollo2020 project’.

The conference offered an excellent platform for engaging in discussions, exchanging experiences, and gaining knowledge about conservation initiatives in various regions of Europe and the world. Our collaboration with PIENAP and PPN holds significant importance, as we share common objectives, enabling us to mutually enhance our projects and effectively protect Parnassius apollo and its natural habitats.

We would like to express our deep gratitude to the management, Mr. Vladimír Klc, the director of PIENAP, Mr. Michał Sokołowski, the director of PPN, and Ms. Iwona Wróbel, deputy director, as well as the teams of both National Parks for their invitation and the organization of this event. We also appreciate the dedicated moderators, Mr. Paweł Adamski and Mr. Ludomir Panigaj, for facilitating productive communication among participants.