HOW DID THIS BUTTERFLY GET TO CYPRUS?
LEPIDOPTERY
Lepidopterology is regularly performed by several people living in Cyprus. Existing on the island for several years, this study of butterflies has successfully catalogued 57 species on the island. Seven of these are considered to be 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.
A NEW BUTTERFLY
Initially, the orange butterfly was mistaken for a regular visitor to the island, the Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus). This, however, was dispelled once a chance photograph, of the orange butterfly, was circulated. Eddie John, butterfly recorder for Cyprus, soon discovered that the orange wonder was a North American Monarch Butterfly and its existence on the island remained unexplained. Â
A LENGTHY INVESTIGATION
This resulted in a lengthy investigation. How did this butterfly come to be in Cyprus? The search for plausible explanations soon began. The fact that the North American Monarch was spotted in the wild also confounded experts. This resulted in several Lepidopterologists scratching their heads. Most experts soon began to theorise how the butterfly could have arrived on the island.
MIGRATING BUTTERFLIES
Lengthy migrations are not restricted to the North American Monarch. This activity is also displayed by two species of butterfly that are found living in Cyprus. The Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and the Red Admiral (Vanessa Atalanta) head north on their annual migratory flight. They are often seen crossing Cyprus in the spring. They are known to reach as far as the United Kingdom and even Scandinavia. Occasionally, as in 2019, millions may be seen passing through the island.
FURTHER SIGHTINGS
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, the real story emerged.Â
NO MEANINGFUL PRESENCE
Although a large number of these butterflies were released into the wild, they were unable to establish a meaningful presence on the island. Many of them, if not all of them, would have perished after only 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 on the island.
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. AS in this case, 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. It is less welcome, however, if it is found that butterflies have been ‘introduced’ as in the case of the North American Monarch.
AN ICONIC BUTTERFLY
The North American Monarch (Danaus plexippus) is an iconic butterfly. It is 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. They arrive in Mexico every year in droves, where they usually spend the winter. The butterflies then begin their return journey north in the spring. As they breed along the way, this migration pattern involves multiple generations.Â
SEVERAL THEORIES
One of the several theories put forward was these butterflies 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, however, could be proved or confirmed.
A COMICAL STORY
The truth of the matter was a comical story, but it put all of the previous theories to bed. It was discovered 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 wedding ceremonies on both islands and then left to fend for themselves in the wild.Â
A LIMITED SUPPLY OF MILKWEED
Milkweed plays a crucial role in the butterfly’s life cycle. The caterpillars of this butterfly exclusively feed upon this plant so females will only lay their eggs on it. The main reason for this is that milkweed 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. Whilst there are two varieties of milkweed, present in Cyprus, there is not enough of it to sustain a large population of these butterflies.Â
