NEW BUTTERFLY SPECIES DISCOVERED IN REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA

The biodiversity of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been enriched by the discovery of a new species of butterfly during a study of day and night butterflies in the vicinity of Dobrun and Rudo.

This new butterfly was identified by a team of researchers from Serbia, including Miloš Popović and Iva Stojanović from the Faculty of Science in Niš, along with Dejan Kulijer from the National Museum of Sarajevo and Branislava Dukić from the Center for the Environment in Banjaluka.

On the occasion of May 22nd, International Biodiversity Day, the Center for the Environment in Banjaluka announced that the species in question is Anthocharis damone. This butterfly has previously been recorded in southern Italy, Greece, Macedonia, and Albania, and is considered a Mediterranean species that inhabits only warmer regions.

This species was also found in Serbia in 2015, representing an isolated colony 170 kilometers away from its nearest known population.

"The life cycle of this butterfly is exclusively tied to one plant – Isatis tinctoria, which grows on steep, rocky, bare, primarily serpentine slopes. The caterpillars feed on parts of this plant, while the females lay eggs on the flowers, usually only one egg per flower," stated the Center for the Environment.

Confirming the presence of this species in Bosnia and Herzegovina suggests that it is more common on the Balkan Peninsula than previously thought.

"Discovering a new species for Bosnia and Herzegovina proves that we can still expect new and interesting findings in the region. We hope that this area will be adequately protected in accordance with the research results," said Branislava Dukić.

She mentioned that the research leading to the discovery of the new species was part of the preparatory activities for this year's "Biologer Camp," held within the project "Jewels of Nature: Strengthening the Resilience and Participation of Local Communities in BiH." This project is conducted in partnership with the Center "Dr. Stjepan Bolkaj," the "Aarhus Center in BiH," and the Czech organization "Arnika."

The United Nations designated May 22nd as International Biodiversity Day. This year, it is celebrated under the slogan "Be Part of the Solution," calling for action from all stakeholders to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by supporting the implementation of the "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework," also known as the "Biodiversity Plan," which offers opportunities for cooperation and partnership among various participants.