Every year, painted lady butterflies embark on an extraordinary journey, migrating thousands of miles across diverse landscapes that stretch from Europe to the Middle East and Africa. This migratory phenomenon has captivated scientists and butterfly enthusiasts alike for millions of years. However, the intricate details of their journeyhow far they travel and their resilience during such a challenging expeditionhave remained somewhat elusive until now.

An international team of researchers, known as the Worldwide Painted Lady Migration Project, has made significant strides in tracing the migration paths of these remarkable butterflies. Over the past decade, they have meticulously tracked the journey of ten generations of painted ladies during their annual migratory cycle, which spans from equatorial Africa to the northernmost reaches of Europe and back. Notably, during the period from 2021 to 2024, renowned photographer Lucas Foglia accompanied the research team, capturing stunning images of both the scientists and the butterflies as they worked diligently to unravel the mysteries of this phenomenon.

Foglia's new book and exhibition, titled Constant Bloom, chronicles this fascinating journey, highlighting how painted lady butterflies follow the seasonal rains and the blooming of flowers that accompany these weather patterns. In his own words, Foglia states, From the perspective of these butterflies, which live only five weeks in their adult life, the world is always blooming. This perspective underscores the importance of the butterflies adaptation to their environment as they traverse vast distances.

Among the many lessons learned during this endeavor, Foglia gained a keen eye for spotting painted lady butterflies as they flit among vibrant flowers. Characterized by their striking orange and black wingscomplete with eyespots on their undersidesand their shimmering bodies that catch the sunlight, these butterflies are often found enjoying nectar from a variety of plants, including thistles and buddleia. Interestingly, they demonstrate a remarkable ability to adapt, feeding on roadside flowers and even laying eggs in plants thriving in construction sites.

One of the major themes that emerged during Foglia's photographic journey was the impact of climate change on the butterflies migration patterns. As global temperatures continue to rise, shifts in weather patterns have altered the timing and location of flower blooms. Despite these changes, the painted ladies seem to adapt their routes accordingly. For instance, during the summer of 2023, researchers faced challenges locating these butterflies in Switzerland due to drought conditions. Yet, the scientists eventually discovered them congregating around flowers blooming at higher altitudes, where melting glaciers provided a unique habitat.

Foglias observations revealed that the painted lady butterflies were not only interacting with nature but also with humans. As he documented the butterflies, he began to capture images of people he encountered during his travels. He noticed a striking parallel: the butterflies migration mirrored that of many humans who were journeying north from various African and Middle Eastern nations in search of refuge in Europe. Numerous individuals approached Foglia, requesting photographs, often asking him to send these images back to their families, highlighting the deep connections between human migration and the movement of these insects.

Reflecting on his experiences, Foglia couldn't help but draw comparisons between the journeys of the butterflies and those of the people he met. While the painted lady butterflies soared effortlessly above borders, individuals arriving by boat in places like Italy faced detention and bureaucratic processes to determine their eligibility to remain. One poignant memory that lingers with Foglia is his encounter with a group of Palestinian refugees in Jerash, Jordan. As they walked among the citys renowned Roman ruins, painted lady butterflies fluttered around blooming yellow flowers, continuing their age-old migration long before human civilizations emerged.

Through this lens, Foglia began to contemplate the intricate connections between human history and the natural world. He noted that the migration of painted ladies represents not just the journey of a species but also reflects broader themes of survival and adaptation shared by both nature and humanity. The butterflies are encountering people, are depending on people, and are also traveling alongside people who are moving for some of the same reasons, like searching for sustenance across borders, he stated, emphasizing the intertwined fates of both migratory patterns.