Rare butterfly was first spotted in Toronto’s High Park in more than a century

A rare butterfly species – Zebra Swaltel – has been seen for the first time in Toronto’s High Park in more than a century.

The rare butterfly was seen by a butterfly enthusiast Crystal Bayran, when she was visiting the High Park to catch a glimpse of various species that appeared at this time of the year.

“This amazing black and white butterfly came out. And I was so, it’s a zebra swaltel,” said Bayran. “I never thought I was going to see one there.”

This species was last seen back in 1896, Bob Yukich, a member of the Toronto Antomologist Association, told CBC Radio Metro morning Wednesday.

‘Like a small gift’

Bayaran, who spent the days to maintain Black Oak Savannah – an endangered ecosystem at the high park – felt “very lucky” that the rare Zebra is one to present Swaltelle.

“I think I spent a lot of time in that park … it felt like a small gift that the land gave back,” Burn said.

About 74 butterfly species have been found in High Park since the 1980s, According to the High Park Nature Center.

Bayran said that it was “beacon of hope” to see the rare butterfly because its host is not common in the plant, pavapav, region.

Burn said other species such as cabbage white butterflies that were around Zebra Swaltelte were very regional.

“When Swaltelt comes down every time, this cabbage will chase it with white,” said Bayran.

Loss of habitat due to decline in butterfly species

According to the Toronto Antomologist Association, housing loss with widespread use of pesticides has negatively affected the population of the butterfly.

Monarch butterflies are another species that killed the “dangerous low” population in North America And there is a need for international cooperation between Canada, America and Mexico, Ryan Noris, a university of Guelph professor told CBC News earlier this month.

In the early 1900s, around Windsar, Zebra Swaltel was common in South -West Ontario.

With the cutting and cutting of the forest in the area, the pavap began to disappear, causing a decline in the species, Yukich said.

“They are making attractive butterflies attractive. This is just something you haven’t seen now,” Yukich said.

Ontario’s Fish and Wildlife Protection Act “particularly protected” classifies zebra swaltells as species. Damage, occupying, transporting or killing butterfly is illegal, According to a city in the city of Toronto.

Yukich says that after hearing about the disadvantage of his habitat for decades, it is special to see a species like Zebra Swaltel.

“Butterflies are falling down and when you find something like this, it is returning and not disappearing. It’s attractive,” Yukich said.