Akito Kawahara
Director, Curator, and Professor in Gainesville, FL
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 assumed the role of Director in 2023, leading one of the world's largest and most prestigious collections of butterflies and moths, with more than 10 million specimens. His work involves overseeing the center’s research and educational programs and engaging with donors and supporters to advance the center’s mission to further the understanding of Lepidoptera.
Kawahara’s research focuses on Lepidoptera, a diverse group of insects that includes butterflies and moths. His studies aim to uncover the genetic, evolutionary, and behavioral mechanisms that explain how these insects have adapted to their environments. One of his notable research areas is how moths use ultrasound to defend themselves from bats. This fascinating ability has led him to explore how evolutionary processes shape the survival strategies of these insects.
In addition to his work on predator-prey interactions, Kawahara's lab investigates broader questions about insect biodiversity. His team looks at how different behaviors, such as being active during the day or night, influence the evolution of various traits in Lepidoptera. The lab employs a range of scientific techniques, including phylogenetics, behavioral studies, and genomics, to better understand why such a large number of insect species exist. He is also concerned with the impact of human activities, such as habitat destruction and light pollution, on insect populations and behaviors.
Kawahara’s contributions to entomology have earned him several prestigious awards. He has received the John Henry Comstock Award from the Entomological Society of America and the Alexander B. Klots Award from the Lepidopterists’ Society. In addition, he has successfully secured funding for 20 major research grants, totaling more than $13 million, from national and international agencies, including the National Science Foundation.