image: This is a mating couple of Apharitis cilissa -- an endemic species to the Levant and a rare butterfly in Israel (with less than 10 known populations), whose most important populations occur in the most heavily populated region of Israel on the coastal plains. Detailed research on the species led to changes in urban development to protect the species. It belongs to the newly protected, rare species in Israel. As insects have not been protected before in Israel, the protection of 14 species of rare butterflies on April 30, 2009, has been a major coup. The Israeli Lepidopterologists' Society hopes that this step will broaden public awareness of the protection of butterflies and consequently boost participation in the planned butterfly monitoring scheme. The monitoring scheme is particularly important for studying the impacts of climate change both on butterflies and on fauna general. view more
Credit: Guy Pe'er/UFZ