The Meadow Brown, Maniola jurtina, is a common butterfly whose larvae feed on various species of grasses.
This focus-stacked image of the underside of a male butterfly shows the large spot centered with white on each forewing which, it is suggested, is involved in startling predators and / or sexual selection. However, it is the number of smaller spots on the hindwings that have been the subject of recent research.
Studies have indicated that increasing temperatures during the stages of late larval – early pupal development are correlated with the reduction in the number of these smaller spots in the adult. It was found that females developing at 11°C have a median of six spots while those developing at 15°C only have three. It is suggested that higher temperatures increase the rate of scale formation so do not allow full development of these eyespots.
The study predicts that the total number of spots will decline as summers warm with climate change.
