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    1. UNG
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    Dean's research published in scientific journal

    August 2, 2018
    Butterflies puddle at urine in Borneo. Dr. Mike Bodri, dean of UNG's College of Science and Mathematics, had his research about the kind of urine that is most attractive to butterflies published in a scientific journal.

    Article By: Clark Leonard

    A University of North Georgia (UNG) dean’s research on what type of urine butterflies prefer for "puddling" or "mudding" was published in the June issue of the Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society.

    Dr. Michael Bodri's research compared whether butterflies were most drawn to the urine of a herbivore (cow), carnivore (mountain lion) or omnivore (himself). Bodri is the dean of science and mathematics at UNG.

    "Carnivore urine was significantly more attractive to puddling butterflies than herbivore or omnivore urine," according to the article's abstract. "This study was unable to determine if puddling butterflies were capable of seeking out sand with a specific sodium content or if amino acids and/or volatiles influenced their choice."

    Bodri concluded that butterflies are attracted by smell "cues unique to nitrogen and/or sodium rather than visual cues."

    He had observed puddling on many occasions, particularly in the tropics.

    "They puddle at lots of things most often for (presumably) sodium. How they know it is there is still a mystery," Bodri said. "I was just curious if they can discern between urine from different types of mammals based upon the diet."

    Bait stations demonstrated that butterflies can not only detect but can distinguish between urine from mammals of different feeding classifications, according to his research.

    The research was reported on by Discover magazine.

    Contact the Author

    DETI teaching staff  win Best Paper Award

    DETI teaching staff win Best Paper Award

    UNG DETI teaching staff members David Babb and Ervin Howard have been awarded the Best Paper Award by the Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration.
    Preston honored with pair of state awards

    Preston honored with pair of state awards

    UNG professor Dr. Tom Preston won two service awards for his work with UNG's Speech and Debate Club.
    Poultry team takes 5th at national event

    Poultry team takes 5th at national event

    UNG's poultry judging team finished fifth overall at the annual USPOULTRY Foundation National Contest, including top-six finishes in all three categories, and earned six individual awards.
    Biology students win awards at conference

    Biology students win awards at conference

    Three student groups won awards for their research at this year's annual Wildlife Society meeting held in Macon, Georgia, in March.

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