HOW DID THIS BUTTERFLY GET TO CYPRUS?
LEPIDOPTERY
Lepidopterology has existed in Cyprus for several years and today, many people living in Cyprus, partake in the study of butterflies. This activity has successfully catalogued 57 butterfly species on the island. Seven of these are considered to be an endemic species or subspecies in Cyprus. None of these up until a few years ago, however, included a bright orange butterfly with a large wingspan. Once a chance photograph, of this beautiful and vibrant orange butterfly, was circulated, it soon came to the attention of Eddie John, butterfly recorder for Cyprus. This resulted in a lengthy investigation searching for plausible reasons as to how such a butterfly could have arrived in Cyprus!
A CHANCE DISCOVERY YEARS AGO
Initially, the butterfly in the photograph was mistaken for the Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus), which is a regular visitor to the island. The orange wonder, however, was a North American Monarch Butterfly and its existence on the island remained unexplained. The fact that the North American Monarch was spotted in the wild also confounded experts, causing a stir that left many Lepidopterologists scratching their heads. Experts soon began to theorise how the butterfly could have arrived on the island. One of the many theories put forward was that it had somehow reached Cyprus from the Americas with the assistance of strong winds. Other theories trying to explain this phenomenon, included species expansion, anthropogenic spread, climate change and wavering water patterns. None of these theories for a natural migration could be proved or confirmed, however.
AN ICONIC BUTTERFLY
The North American Monarch (Danaus plexippus) is an iconic butterfly known for its incredible migration journey from North to South America. This migration takes place over several generations. Millions of these butterflies, seeking a warmer climate, travel south from the United States and Canada to Mexico every year where they usually spend the winter. These butterflies then begin their return journey north in the spring. This journey involves multiple generations as they breed along the way. However, such journeys are not restricted to the North American Monarch. In some ways, this resembles the activity shown by two species of butterfly that can be naturally found living in Cyprus. The Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and the Red Admiral (Vanessa Atalanta) are often seen crossing Cyprus in spring as they head north on their annual migratory flight. They are known to reach the United Kingdom and even Scandinavia. Occasionally, as in 2019, millions may be seen passing through the island.
ALL EVENTUALLY REVEALED
Further investigations revealed that the North American Monarch had also been found in Ibiza that same year. This supported further the possibility of a natural migration. However, after another photo had circulated and weeks of investigation by Eddie John, a new accurate story emerged, putting all of the previous theories to bed. The truth of the matter was a comical story, which revealed that the North American Monarchs were being imported to both islands by a wedding event organiser. The master of ceremonies had purchased large quantities of the butterfly from a breeder in Spain! it turned out that the butterflies were being released as part of the wedding ceremonies on both islands and then left to fend for themselves in the wild.Â
CYPRUS MILKWEED
Although a large number of these butterflies were released into the wild, they were unable to establish a meaningful presence on the island. It is thought that many of them, if not all of them would have perished after a short period and any presence of the butterfly in Cyprus would have disappeared with them. This is mainly due to a very limited supply of milkweed that plays a crucial role in its life cycle. The butterfly’s caterpillars exclusively feed upon the plant and whilst two varieties of milkweed are present in Cyprus, there is not enough to sustain a large population of these butterflies. Females will only lay their eggs on milkweed because it produces a toxic compound that deters most herbivores. The North American Monarch’s larvae have evolved to tolerate these toxins, allowing them some protection against predators.
A LESS WELCOME OUTCOME
The introduction of butterflies that are not native to a specific area or country is generally frowned upon. Breeders have a responsibility to ensure that this does not happen. Those who dedicate efforts to distributional research waste time and resources whilst attempting to find an explanation for the sudden arrival of an unexpected species! Such research is well worthwhile if the appearance is due to a natural phenomenon, but is less welcome if it is found that butterflies have been ‘introduced’ as in the case of the North American Monarch.
