MFS | Entertainment

LONDON: Three generations of butterflies in Japan have been rendered mutant following the radioactive fallout from the Fukushima nuclear disaster, scientists have found, warning that radiations could affect other species too. Scientists found unusually small wings and mutations in the legs and antennae of insects collected May last year, two months after the earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck.

The radiation exposure harmed their genes and the damage could be passed on to future generations, the 'Daily Mail' reported. "Artificial radionuclides from the Fukushima (No 1) nuclear power plant caused physiological and genetic damage to pale grass blue butterflies, a common species in Japan," said the Journal 'Scientific'.