Celastrina iryna: New US butterfly species named after Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska

A newly discovered butterfly species in the southeastern United States has been named Celastrina iryna in honor of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee tragically killed in North Carolina.

The species Celastrina iryna was identified by researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, who noted its distinctive light blue wing coloration. Found primarily in South Carolina, the butterfly appears to be a hybrid species within the Celastrina genus, adding to the biodiversity knowledge of the region.

The name "iryna" also connects symbolically to the Greek goddess of peace, signifying tranquility, harmony, and honoring Zarutska’s legacy.


This butterfly inhabits lightly wooded and open areas typical of the southeastern U.S., such as forest margins and wetlands. The scientific interest in this species revolves around its hybrid nature and unique genetics, which distinguish it from other related butterflies in the area.

Iryna Zarutska

Iryna Zarutska was a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who fled her homeland with her family seeking safety from the war in Ukraine. She arrived in the United States with hopes of starting a new life. Tragically, her life was cut short on August 22, 2025, when she was fatally stabbed in an unprovoked attack while riding the Lynx Blue Line light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., a repeat offender with a criminal history and mental health struggles, was charged with first-degree murder and federal charges that could bring the death penalty.

The species naming report was published in the International Lepidoptera Survey.

During the study, specimens were collected from Aiken County, South Carolina, as broods from the species were also identified in Georgia, northern Florida, and Mississippi. In addition to Aiken, Celastrina iryna was found in South Carolina’s Barnwell, Dorchester, Jasper, and Orangeburg counties, where it primarily flies in April.