TL;DR: A new butterfly species discovered in South Carolina has been named “Iryna’s Azure” to honor 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was fatally stabbed in Charlotte in August 2025. The scientist behind the tribute, Harry Pavulaan, said it ensures her name is “never forgotten.”
What Happened
- American lepidopterist Harry Pavulaan, president of the International Lepidoptera Survey, named a newly identified butterfly species Celastrina iryna ("Iryna’s Azure") after Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee killed on August 22, 2025.
- Pavulaan said he was emotionally moved by videos of Iryna’s death and expedited his research publication “to immortalize her name as a butterfly.”
- He sent copies of his paper and photos of the butterfly to Iryna’s family in Ukraine, who expressed gratitude and saw the gesture as a lasting tribute.
About the Butterfly
- “Iryna’s Azure” is a small butterfly with light blue wings and a violet-blue tint on top.
- It primarily flies in April in the southeastern U.S. coastal plain, especially in South Carolina.
- First collected in 1985, it was officially named after Pavulaan’s research confirmed it as a distinct hybrid species, the first known hybrid introgression among Azure butterflies.
Iryna Zarutska and Aftermath
- Zarutska fled Ukraine in 2022 and was rebuilding her life in Charlotte, studying English and dreaming of becoming a veterinary assistant.
- Her killing led to passage of “Iryna’s Law” in North Carolina, tightening pretrial release for violent offenders and addressing transit safety.
- The suspect, Decarlos Brown, faces federal murder charges that could carry the death penalty.
Public and Media Response
- The naming story first appeared on WSOC-TV on October 23, 2025, and spread internationally through ABC News, The Independent, Newsweek, and others.
- Pavulaan called the tribute “timeless,” saying, “Her name will be forever immortalized as a butterfly.”
- The dedication has been widely praised as a symbol of peace, remembrance, and resilience amid tragedy.