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Japanese Elementary Student Shows Butterflies Inherit Lavender Aversion

7/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Japanese elementary student Jo Nagai proved that learned avoidance of lavender persists in butterfly offspring across generations.
Jo Nagai conditioned swallowtail caterpillars with a muscle-therapy pulse and lavender oil and later tested adult butterflies in a Y-shaped maze.
Dr. Weiss and the Crown Prince of Japan attended Jo Nagai's presentation at the 2024 International Congress of Entomology in Kobe.
Jo Nagai said the research inspires him to become a veterinarian.

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Story summary

Japanese elementary student Jo Nagai proved that learned avoidance of lavender persists in butterfly offspring across generations.
Jo Nagai conditioned swallowtail caterpillars with a muscle-therapy pulse and lavender oil and later tested adult butterflies in a Y-shaped maze.
Dr. Weiss and the Crown Prince of Japan attended Jo Nagai's presentation at the 2024 International Congress of Entomology in Kobe.
Jo Nagai said the research inspires him to become a veterinarian.