Butterflies originated in North or Central America about 100 million years ago, evolving from nocturnal moths that began flying during the day to feed on the nectar of flowering plants. This shift happened as flowering plants diversified, and butterflies exploited the new food source. Their early history includes a period of rapid diversification as they spread from the Americas to other continents, likely via Beringia. This new tree of butterfly life and their preferred host plants—think milkweeds and monarchs—will help provide a framework to protect butterflies along with the plants and habitats they rely on. The study’s findings make it clear how important it is to conserve their host plants if we want to safeguard butterflies.
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