Description
Learn how butterflies use their beauty to fool predators in a special presentation from Dr. Nipam H. Patel, a global expert in evolutionary biology. Dr. Patel will explore how the colors and patterns of butterflies help them survive, provide the ability to find mates, hide when necessary, and deter predators.
“For many butterflies and moths, there are aspects of their lives that are fascinating but not very visible to us,” said Dr. Patel. “For example, some butterflies are entirely dependent on ants to complete their life cycles. I’m excited to bring the latest research to the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, which has been a strong ambassador for these amazing insects, and reveal secrets we’re only just beginning to understand.”
Dr. Patel is director of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole and a lifelong butterfly enthusiast with an enormous personal collection, part of which will be on display at the talk. He is a leading scholar in modern evolutionary and developmental biology with a specific focus on the evolution of body patterning and segmentation, regeneration of the germline (cells carrying the genetic material passed from one generation to another) and structural coloration.
Date & Time
Sat, Sep 5, 2026 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Venue Details
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
869 Main StreetBrewster, Massachusetts 02631
