New butterfly species found in SC and GA named after Iryna Zaruska, Ukrainian refugee killed in Charlotte

LINCOLN, Neb. (WJZY) — A butterfly species found in the southeastern U.S. has been named in honor of Iryna Zarutska, the Ukrainian refugee who was murdered on the Charlotte, North Carolina, light rail in August.

The new butterfly species, Celastrina iryna, was studied by researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The name is derived from the Greek goddess of peace, and is associated with tranquility, harmony, and serenity. 

Researchers believe this may be a hybrid species. They discovered it is most similar to Celastrina neglecta but “differs in its unique dorsal overlay” of clear wing scales found in Celastrina ladon males. 

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.

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

At the bottom of the study is the Ukrainian refugee’s image from her funeral service with the message: “May she never be forgotten.” 

Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was stabbed to death while riding the Charlotte light rail, just minutes from her home. The suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., was charged with first-degree murder in addition to the federal charge of causing a death on a mass transportation system. 

In a September statement, Zarutska’s family said she had a new life in Charlotte after moving here three years ago. She was working full-time at a local pizzeria — she was wearing a shirt for it at the time of her death — while attending community college to improve her English.  

“That night, she texted her boyfriend that she would be home soon,” they said. “Her loved ones became alarmed when she did not arrive at her apartment at the anticipated time, and her phone’s location alerted them that she was still at the station. Upon arriving at the station, they were devastated to learn that Iryna had died at the scene.” 

The tough-on-crime bill signed into law last month in North Carolina also was named for Zarutska.