03.09.2026 09:31
The African-origin White Pioneer Butterfly was photographed in Tatvan and recorded for the first time in Bitlis's butterfly species list. Observers noted that this could be a reflection of climate change.
Brown-veined White (Belenois aurota), one of the migratory butterfly species of African origin, was spotted in the Tatvan district and added to Bitlis's butterfly species list.
FIRST SIGHTING IN BITLIS
Nature photographers Oktay Subaşı and Nusret Altan, who were conducting field surveys in the Tatvan district of Bitlis, captured and recorded the Brown-veined White butterfly, which had previously been seen in some provinces of Turkey's Southeastern Anatolia Region.
The Brown-veined White butterfly, one of the butterfly species that prefers warm climates and migrates from Africa, had previously been recorded in Siirt, Batman, Mardin, Şırnak, Hakkari, and Diyarbakır in Turkey. With the observation made in Tatvan, the species' first record in Bitlis was also achieved.
DID NOT REALIZE WHEN TAKING ITS PHOTO
Nusret Altan, a nature photographer from Tatvan, stated that he later learned the butterfly he photographed during fieldwork was a different species, saying, "I photographed a butterfly in the field. Later, I showed this species I captured to a friend who knows butterflies well. My friend said this was a migratory butterfly and it was seen for the first time in Bitlis."
"I HAD NEVER ENCOUNTERED IT UNTIL TODAY"
Nature photographer and butterfly observer Oktay Subaşı said the species they encountered while conducting butterfly observations in Tatvan was a great surprise for them.
Subaşı stated, "This butterfly is a pioneer butterfly. It is one of our migratory butterfly species from Africa. It had previously been recorded in Siirt, Şırnak, Batman, and Diyarbakır. But I had never encountered it in Bitlis until today. Adding this butterfly to the Bitlis list for the first time in the field today was a nice surprise for us as well."
"A RESULT OF CLIMATE CHANGE"
Subaşı noted that recording the new species in Bitlis is important for revealing the region's biodiversity and stated that such observations are also remarkable for tracking the reflections of climate change in nature.
Subaşı said, "This situation also shows that climate change has an impact. Because some butterfly species that were not seen before are now beginning to appear. In this respect, it has been recorded."