Three new species of butterflies in Ceuta

Three new species of butterflies in Ceuta

A team of members of the Spanish Association for the Protection of Butterflies and their Environment expands the list of species

Already in 2019 it was reported that the "Maghreb harlequin" (Zerynthia africana) and the "Maghreb aurora" (Anthocharis belia) are part of the Spanish fauna, due to the existence of populations in Ceuta. A recent study provides novel information on three endemic species of the Maghreb that also exist in Ceuta. These are the "Maghrebi ocellada" (Coenonympha arcanioides), the "Maghrebi sertorium" (Spialia ali) and the "Maghrebi sea bream" (Thymelicus hamza)

The five Maghrebi species whose presence in Ceuta has been confirmed, extend the Spanish list of diurnal butterflies to reach the impressive figure of 258, the highest of the EU states, after Italy.

The study undertaken in Ceuta is making it possible to learn about the species of butterflies present at the northern end of the Tangier peninsula, since until now no scientific work had been carried out there on this group of invertebrates.