LepEU : A Consortium to Study the Population Genomics of Butterflies and Moths Across Europe

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: LepEU, the European Lepidopteran Population Genomics Consortium, was launched in 2023 to coordinate continental-scale collections and generate population-level genomic data for butterflies and moths across Europe. Its whole-genome resequencing strategy takes advantage of the growing availability of reference genomes for Lepidoptera. LepEU supports scalable, standardized sampling and sequencing to quantify genetic diversity and population resilience. These data will allow addressing long-standing questions about geographic patterns of biodiversity in this iconic clade for evolutionary ecology, while also filling critical gaps in biodiversity monitoring and conservation. The consortium's first in-person workshop was held in Montpellier (France) in 2025 and was supported by the COST Action 10kLepGenomes. It gathered 23 researchers from 10 countries, including experts in Lepidoptera ecology, evolution, and population genomics. Building on 2 years of video conferencing, the workshop enabled participants to draw a roadmap for trans-continental standardized sampling, isolate DNA of specimens collected during 2024, outline key research questions for LepEU, and discuss an outreach strategy to engage additional stakeholders. LepEU is coordinating with other international networks and consortia to develop a collaborative platform for tracking European lepidopteran biodiversity and evolution. Looking ahead, LepEU is focused on training and mentoring the next generation of scientists, empowering them to integrate genomic analyses with phenotypic and ecological data to address ecological, evolutionary, and conservation questions.

Source: Evolutionary Applications

DOI: 10.1111/eva.70246

Institutions: University of Lisbon, Universidade da Coruña, Oxford Brookes University, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, École Pratique des Hautes Études, Centre d'Écologie Fonctionnelle et Évolutive, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, University College London, Laboratoire d'Écologie Alpine, Université Grenoble Alpes, Collège de France, Université Paris Sciences et Lettres, Sorbonne Université, Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Biologie, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Biology Centre, Université de Montpellier, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Diversité, génomes et interactions micro-organismes-insectes, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, University of Helsinki, Lund University, Mustafa Kemal University, University of Neuchâtel, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Senckenberg - Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research, Senckenberg German Entomological Institute, University of Łódź, Wellcome Sanger Institute, University of Cambridge, University of Bremen, Stockholm University

Language: English

Topic: Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy

Subfield: Insect Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,320

Funders: National Science Foundation, Wellcome Trust, Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Jane ja Aatos Erkon Säätiö, Vetenskapsrådet, Université de Montpellier

Awards: Connecting genotype, phenotype, and fitness in an ecological model species, Darwin Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute Quinquennial Review 2021-2026, Diversification and adaptation along environmental gradients: identification of genes and traits involved in species differentiation in alpine butterflies, The evolution of strong reproductive barriers towards the completion of speciation, Holocentric Recombination in 3D

OpenAlex ID: W7160950653