Akito Kawahara

Akito Kawahara is the Director of the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, a Curator at the Florida Museum of Natural History, and a Professor at the University of Florida. He was appointed Director of the McGuire Center in 2023, overseeing one of the largest collections of butterflies and moths globally, containing over 10 million specimens. In his role, he leads innovative research initiatives, promotes public education about Lepidoptera, and works with donors to ensure continued funding for the center’s scientific and conservation efforts. Kawahara’s primary research focuses on Lepidoptera, the insect order that includes butterflies and moths, encompassing approximately 160,000 species. His work explores these insects' genetic, behavioral, and evolutionary aspects. A central area of his research is understanding how moths produce ultrasound to defend themselves from echolocating bats. This fascinating defense mechanism has drawn attention in the scientific community and has led to further investigations into how evolutionary pressures shape survival strategies in moths. In addition to studying predator-prey dynamics, Kawahara’s lab explores broader questions surrounding insect biodiversity. His team examines how behavioral patterns, such as whether insects are diurnal or nocturnal, affect evolutionary processes and contribute to species diversity. By employing methods such as phylogenetic analysis, genomics, and behavioral science, he and his team aim to uncover the reasons behind the vast number of insect species and how they evolve to thrive in varying environments. His research also considers the impact of human activities, such as habitat destruction and artificial lighting, on the behavior and survival of Lepidoptera. Kawahara’s contributions to entomology have been widely recognized. He has received multiple prestigious awards, including the John Henry Comstock Award from the Entomological Society of America and the Alexander B. Klots Award from the Lepidopterists’ Society. He has also secured over $13 million in research funding, leading over 20 major grants primarily from the National Science Foundation and other institutions. These funds have supported projects examining moth and butterfly evolution, their interactions with predators, and their roles in ecosystems. Kawahara has authored over 200 peer-reviewed articles, with publications in top scientific journals such as Science and PNAS. His research has expanded our understanding of moth and butterfly evolution, their acoustic defense mechanisms, and their interactions with echolocating bats. Beyond his research, Kawahara has become a prominent figure in the media, appearing in documentaries and television shows. He has been featured in PBS’s American Spring Live and Nature’s Sex, Lies, and Butterflies, as well as NPR’s Science Friday. His work has also been covered in The Washington Post and Smithsonian Magazine. In his TED Talk, “Why You Can Thank a Moth,” he highlights moths' crucial roles in pollination, silk production, and medical and technological advancements. Kawahara is passionate about inspiring future scientists. He frequently gives talks to schoolchildren, engaging them with the world of Lepidoptera and encouraging them to explore the wonders of science. Kawahara earned his undergraduate degree in Entomology from Cornell University and a Master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. His doctoral research focused on the phylogenetics of leaf-mining moths. Outside his academic and professional commitments, Kawahara enjoys basketball, tennis, and spending time with his two children. Fluent in Japanese and English, he also speaks Spanish and Chinese. Raised between New York City and Tokyo, his bicultural upbringing has shaped his personal life and career.