A rare butterfly known as the zebra swallowtail has recently been sighted in Toronto’s High Park, marking its return after more than a century. The discovery was made by Crystal Byrne, an avid butterfly enthusiast, during a visit to observe the various species present at this time of the year.
Byrne expressed her astonishment at spotting the striking black and white zebra swallowtail, a species that had not been seen in the area since 1896, according to Bob Yukich, a member of the Toronto Entomologists’ Association.
Having dedicated time to maintaining the endangered black oak savannah ecosystem in High Park, Byrne considered herself fortunate to have encountered the rare zebra swallowtail. She described the experience as a special gift from the land.
High Park has been home to approximately 74 butterfly species since the 1980s, as reported by the High Park Nature Centre. Byrne highlighted the significance of the zebra swallowtail’s presence, particularly due to the scarcity of its host plant, the Pawpaw, in the region.
The decline in butterfly species populations is linked to habitat loss and the widespread use of insecticides, as stated by the Toronto Entomologists’ Association. The zebra swallowtail, once common in southwestern Ontario, faced challenges due to development and deforestation in the area, leading to a decrease in its numbers.
Recognizing the importance of protecting species like the zebra swallowtail, Yukich emphasized the rarity and value of witnessing their resurgence amidst ongoing habitat loss trends. The Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act designates the zebra swallowtail as a “specially protected” species, making it illegal to harm, capture, transport, or kill these butterflies within the region.