Akito Kawahara

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Akito Kawahara

Akito Kawahara is an esteemed entomologist currently serving as the Director of the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity at the Florida Museum of Natural History, a part of the University of Florida. In addition to his role as Director, he is a Curator at the museum and a Professor at the University of Florida. He assumed the position of Director in 2023, overseeing one of the world's largest collections of butterflies and moths, with over 10 million specimens. His work focuses on enhancing the research and educational programs for studying Lepidoptera, particularly butterflies and moths. Kawahara’s primary research interest is understanding how the 160,000 species of butterflies and moths have evolved. He examines these insects' genetics, behavior, and ecological interactions, exploring how they have adapted to various environmental pressures. One area of particular interest is how moths use ultrasound to defend themselves against predators like bats. This defense mechanism allows moths to evade bats' echolocation systems and offers valuable insights into predator-prey dynamics. At the McGuire Center, Kawahara leads a team that uses various research techniques to understand insect diversity. His work explores how factors like the time of day insects are active can influence their evolutionary development, including their vision, hearing, and behavior. One key focus of his research is the evolution of ultrasonic hearing in moths and how this ability helps them detect and avoid predators like bats. His team also investigates the impact of human activity on insect populations, including habitat destruction and light pollution. Kawahara's research has earned him numerous awards and honors. He has received the John Henry Comstock Award from the Entomological Society of America and the Alexander B. Klots Award from the Lepidopterists’ Society of America. He has also led over 20 major research projects, securing over $13 million in funding from organizations like the National Science Foundation. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers, many appearing in prestigious journals such as Science and PNAS. His research has significantly contributed to entomology, particularly in understanding the evolutionary biology of moths and butterflies. In addition to his academic achievements, Kawahara has made several appearances in the media, including television programs, documentaries, and radio shows. He has been featured in PBS’s American Spring Live and Nature’s Sex, Lies, and Butterflies, as well as David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies. His TED Talk, "Why You Can Thank a Moth," highlights moths' critical ecological roles in pollination, silk production, and other industries. He also actively engages in public outreach, teaching students about the importance of insects and their role in ecosystems. Before joining the Florida Museum of Natural History, Kawahara completed his undergraduate degree in Entomology at Cornell University and earned his Master’s and Ph.D. at the University of Maryland. His doctoral research focused on the phylogenetics of leaf-mining moths. He has held various academic and research positions, including post-doctoral work at the University of Hawaii. Outside his professional work, Kawahara enjoys basketball, tennis, and billiards. He also enjoys spending time with his two children and is passionate about drawing. Bilingual in Japanese and English, he also knows Spanish and Chinese. He was born in New York City and spent much of his childhood traveling between New York and Tokyo, which gave him a unique bicultural perspective. He currently resides in both Florida and New York. Through his groundbreaking research and public outreach efforts, Akito Kawahara continues to expand our understanding of the world of butterflies and moths. His work has helped raise awareness about the critical roles these insects play in the environment, contributing significantly to the field of entomology.

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