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Health & Science3h 15m ago

A new University of Bristol-led study published in Nature Communications today [16 June] found that a tropical butterfly has evolved an ingenious anti-ageing strategy by delaying the aging process enabling it to live far longer than its closest relatives.

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South and Central America, Panama

Who
University of Bristol, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Dr Jessica Foley, Heliconius hewitsoni, Dione juno, Heliconius hecale, Dryas iulia
What
A new University of Bristol-led study published in Nature Communications today [16 June] found that a tropical butterfly has evolved an ingenious anti-ageing strategy by delaying the aging process enabling it to live far longer than its closest relatives.
When
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:16:00 GMT · 3h 15m ago
Where
South and Central America, Panama ·
Why
Heliconius butterflies have evolved a unique strategy for extending lifespan, offering fresh insights into how ageing can be delayed in the natural world.
The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

This discovery offers fresh insights into the biology of longevity and how aging can be delayed in the natural world, potentially providing a new model for studying anti-aging mechanisms. The exceptional lifespan of these butterflies suggests that ecological shifts, such as adult pollen-feeding, may contribute to longer life.

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