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. In 2023, he became the Director of the McGuire Center, overseeing one of the world's largest and most comprehensive collections of butterflies and moths, with over 10 million specimens. His role focuses on guiding innovative research, advancing public education, and working closely with donors to secure funding for ongoing scientific work and conservation efforts.
Kawahara’s research primarily centers around Lepidoptera, an insect order that includes approximately 160,000 species of butterflies and moths. His scientific interests lie in these insects' genetics, evolution, and behavioral ecology. One key area of his work is investigating how moths produce ultrasound to defend themselves against predatory bats that use echolocation to hunt. This fascinating defense mechanism has opened the door to studying how complex evolutionary traits help insects survive.
In addition to predator-prey interactions, Kawahara’s lab examines how various behaviors, such as being active during the day rather than at night, contribute to evolutionary traits in Lepidoptera. By applying phylogenetic methods, functional genomics, and behavioral science, his research seeks to understand why so many insect species exist and how they evolve in response to different environmental pressures. He is also interested in the effects of human activities like habitat loss, light pollution, and climate change on the behavior and survival of these insects.
Numerous honors and awards have marked Kawahara’s career for his contributions to entomology. These include the John Henry Comstock Award from the Entomological Society of America and the Alexander B. Klots Award from the Lepidopterists’ Society. He has also led over 20 major research projects, securing over $13 million in funding from organizations such as the National Science Foundation. These funds have supported studies on Lepidoptera evolution, predator-prey dynamics, and the broader ecological roles that butterflies and moths play in ecosystems.
With over 200 peer-reviewed articles published in journals like Science and PNAS, Kawahara has made significant contributions to the field. His research on the evolution of moths and butterflies, their acoustic defenses, and their interactions with echolocating bats has helped expand our understanding of how these insects adapt to their environments.
In addition to his research, Kawahara’s work has gained widespread attention in the media. He has appeared in various television programs and documentaries, such as PBS’s American Spring Live and Nature’s Sex, Lies, and Butterflies. He has contributed to radio shows like NPR’s Science Friday. His work has also been featured in The Washington Post and Smithsonian Magazine. In his TED Talk, "Why You Can Thank a Moth," he highlights moths' essential roles in pollination, silk production, and technological innovations.
Beyond his research, Kawahara is passionate about educating the next generation of scientists. He frequently speaks at schools, engaging students with the fascinating world of Lepidoptera and inspiring them to explore the sciences.
Kawahara holds an undergraduate degree in Entomology from Cornell University and a Master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, where his research focused on the phylogenetics of leaf-mining moths.
Outside of his professional life, Kawahara enjoys sports like basketball and tennis and spends quality time with his two children. He is fluent in Japanese and English and has additional skills in Spanish and Chinese. Having grown up between New York City and Tokyo, his bicultural background has shaped his career and personal life.
