Overview
- Harry Pavulaan of the International Lepidoptera Survey published the species Celastrina iryna, known as Iryna’s Azure, in a September report dedicated to Iryna Zarutska.
- The description identifies a likely hybrid introgression most similar to Celastrina neglecta, with a distinctive dorsal overlay of clear wing scales seen in Celastrina ladon males.
- Records show the butterfly flies primarily in April in South Carolina, with specimens from Aiken County and reports across parts of Georgia, north Florida and Mississippi.
- Pavulaan said he expedited years of research after seeing video of Zarutska’s killing and notified her family, who expressed appreciation for the tribute.
- Separate from the scientific honor, a federal grand jury indicted Decarlos Brown Jr. on a charge eligible for the death penalty, and North Carolina enacted “Iryna’s Law” reforming pretrial release and adding an aggravated factor for crimes against public-transit users.