Butterfly species found again in Bosnia after decades
After 86 years, butterfly researchers have rediscovered a rare species of butterfly in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The so-called mountain steppe frost moth is only known from a few mountains in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, as the State Museum of Natural History in Karlsruhe announced on Monday. It lives above the tree line and only appears after the first snow has fallen and thawed again.
The nocturnal butterfly had previously been found three times in what is now Bosnia-Herzegovina in the first half of the 20th century, most recently in 1937. It had been found once in Montenegro around 40 years ago. There were therefore concerns that the species could be extinct.
At the end of October, an international group of experts - including butterfly expert Robert Trusch from the Natural History Museum in Karlsruhe - set out to search for the butterfly in Bosnia. According to the museum, they found both females and males of the rare butterfly species on the very first night.
The females are unable to fly - which, according to the experts, is probably the reason why they survive strong autumn storms in the mountainous regions of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. "This means that the animals, which are important for reproduction, are not blown away from their habitat." The species Lignyoptera thaumastaria is also virtually unattracted by artificial light. This is different for most other moth species.
This discovery of the mountain steppe frost moth highlights the importance of animal conservation in science. Continuous research and monitoring of animal species can help us understand their behavior and habits, thereby aiding in their preservation.
Source: www.dpa.com
