From Moth Ancestry to Butterfly Splendor: The Remarkable Metamorphosis of Appias libythea

Appias libythea, commonly known as the Striped Albatross, is a beautiful butterfly that plays a crucial role in pollination and environmental health (Living, 2022). It belongs to the family Pieridae within the order Lepidoptera (India Biodiversity Portal, n.d.). This species can be found in various habitats such as gardens, roadsides, villages, mangrove edges, secondary forests, and forest edges at low elevations. Similarly, moths, also belonging to the order Lepidoptera along with butterflies and skippers, form a diverse group of predominantly nocturnal flying insects with approximately 160,000 known species. Moths vary in size, exhibit dusty-scaled wings and body, and hold their wings differently when at rest compared to butterflies (Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia, 2023). Additionally, moths are found everywhere from shore to mountain top, wherever there are plants for caterpillars to eat. They are essential for biodiversity and ecosystems, being a food source for numerous animals, including birds, insects, and mammals (Butterfly Conservation Org, 2008). In connection, even though butterflies are widely admired for their beauty and are beloved insects around the world, there remains a great deal of mystery surrounding their origins and evolutionary history. Recent research has provided compelling evidence that suggests butterflies, including the species Appias libythea, have evolved from moths, their close relatives within the order Lepidoptera. 

Objectives: To delve into the evolutionary journey of butterflies, with a specific focus on A. libythea, tracing its lineage from its moth ancestors. To uncover the fascinating changes and adaptations that have shaped these wonderful creatures throughout their evolutionary path.

Hypothesis: Appias libythea have characters that are derived from the traits of moths.