Insect migration

A behavior-oriented definition proposed is Migratory behavior is persistent and straightened-out movement affected by the animal's own locomotory exertions or by its active embarkation on a vehicle.

It has been suggested that adaptations for migration would be more valuable for insects that live in habitats where resource availability changes seasonally.

Endogenous time-compensation mechanisms have been proposed and tested by releasing migrating butterflies that have been captured and kept in darkness to shift their internal clocks and observing changes in the directions chosen by them.

[13] The orientation mechanisms of nocturnal moths and other insects that migrate have not been well studied, however magnetic cues have been suggested in short distance fliers.

[14] Recent studies suggest that migratory butterflies may be sensitive to the Earth's magnetic field on the basis of the presence of magnetite particles.

The Madagascan sunset moth (Chrysiridia rhipheus) has migrations of up to thousands of individuals, occurring between the eastern and western ranges of their host plant, when they become depleted or unsuitable for consumption.

[21] The painted lady (Vanessa cardui) is a butterfly whose annual 15,000 km round trip from Scandinavia and Great Britain to West Africa involves up to six generations.

[22] The red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) periodically migrates from southern to northern Europe for the summer,[4] although sometimes movement north is observed in early autumn.

In the late winter or early spring, the adult monarchs leave the Transvolcanic mountain range in Mexico to travel north.

Mating occurs and the females seek out milkweed to lay their eggs, usually first in northern Mexico and southern Texas.

[2] Pantala flavescens is thought to make the longest ocean crossings among insects, flying between India and Africa on their migrations.

[25][26] Ladybird beetles such as Hippodamia convergens, Adalia bipunctata and Coccinella undecimpunctata have been noted in large numbers in some places.

[27] Leafhoppers Macrosteles fascifrons and Empoasca fabae rely on seasonal winds on the Mississippi valley for travel.