Unexplainable The man who walked butterflies on a leash
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May 19, 2025 
Benji Jones, Vox's environmental correspondent, along with Sam England from Berlin's National History Museum, dives into the quirky world of butterflies and static electricity. They discuss the innovative and whimsical experiments that involve walking butterflies on leashes to study the role of electrostatics in pollination. The conversation reveals how these fascinating insects interact with their environment in ways that are vastly different from humans, blending humor with groundbreaking scientific inquiry. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of creative methodologies in advancing ecological research.
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Tying Butterflies on Leashes
- Sam England, a sensory ecologist, tied tiny leashes to butterflies and moths to study static electricity's role in pollination.
- He flew them through metal loops to measure their electrical charge using custom-made equipment in his lab.
Insects Carry Positive Charge
- Butterflies and moths were found to be generally positively charged, enabling pollen to be electrostatically attracted to their bodies.
- This subtle charge allows pollen to jump through air, potentially enhancing pollination beyond physical contact.
Electrostatic Sensory Abilities
- Insects use electrostatic cues for sensing their environment; bees can detect if flowers were recently visited using charge differences.
- Caterpillars sense wasps by detecting their electric charge, reacting defensively without other sensory cues.