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Scientists Just Discovered Why a Species of Butterfly Is One of the Longest-Living Creatures on Earth

Researchers say Heliconius butterflies age unusually slowly, possibly thanks in part to their rare ability to digest pollen as adults.

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A butterfly living in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America that seems to have figured out how to live way longer than it should. According to a new study published in Nature Communications and led by researchers at the University of Bristol, butterflies in the Heliconius group were living way longer than their closest relatives. Their ability to age slowly makes them one of the longest-living creatures on the planet.

So, of course, that raises the question of how they’re doing this. Well, it turns out pollen might have something to do with it.

Most butterflies live for only a few weeks. Some members........

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