12-year-old Sara Mutanen discovered a new species of butterfly in Finland: “I don’t know if dad was jealous”

The butterfly discovery was made by a 12-year-old interested in nature Sara Mutanen. He noticed small dark butterflies on the leaves of the eagle’s wing plant growing on the wall of the summer house in Bromarv, Raasepori.

According to the release, the sighting was exceptionally difficult to identify. University researcher at the Central Natural History Museum Lauri Kaila finally discovered that the specimens found represent a subfamily of butterflies belonging to the Sojoko family.

Sara Mutanen tells HS that he often collects butterflies in the summer.

“We were at the cabin packing the car and I went to copy some eagle wings [saniaisia]. They usually turn out to be slightly more special butterflies. I thought they were common turnips. I took them to my father, but he didn’t recognize them either,” says Mutanen.

“I always take the butterflies I find to my father. When he didn’t recognize it either, I got the feeling that this is quite rare.”

Now about 20 butterflies have already been found.

“We came again to collect them, and we got quite a lot. Dad likes to collect butterflies and he was itching to find more. I don’t know if dad was jealous of my discovery, but at least he was happy.”

The species found is likely Cuprina fuscellawhich has previously only been found in Austria in Europe.

The discovery is exceptional, as the species belongs to a subfamily that has not been previously observed in Finland or elsewhere in Northern Europe, the release states.

Mutanen describes it as really small.

“It looks coppery under the microscope, but quite dark to the naked eye. It has strange, black and white hind legs,” describes Mutanen.

Butterfly finding it was a big deal for a family devoted to the subject.

“We had agreed that if someone found a new butterfly, we would go to a three-course dinner. The food was really good,” says Mutanen.

“My favorite butterfly is the damselfly, because it has such a nice red hue. You don’t see them very often. If you’re looking for butterflies, you should go to a place with lots of flowers, sun and shelter from the wind.”

Show it seems that the species has been there for longer, the announcement says.

“It’s amazing that a sharp-eyed 12-year-old can make such a sensational observation,” says the entomologist and professor Marko Mutanen. He is the godfather of Sara, who made the discovery.

“The butterfly hobby has a long tradition in Finland, there are hundreds of enthusiasts, and our species is exceptionally well known. Still, completely unexpected discoveries can still be made,” he says.

“It is also likely that it occurs elsewhere in Finland, but it has gone unnoticed because the species is small and hidden.”

Correction 10.7. 12:44 p.m.: Corrected Bromarv’s location. In the story, it was written earlier that Bromarv is located in southwestern Finland.