By Marni Rose McFall
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A butterfly species has been named after Iryna Zarutska, the 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who was stabbed on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, in August.
Why It Matters
Zarutska, 23, fled the war in Ukraine and settled in the U.S., looking for a safer life.
Read More on News
On August 22, she was attacked while on a Charlotte light train in what police described as an unprovoked stabbing. A video of the attack circulated widely online, prompting outrage, grief, and igniting concern over crime in urban areas.
Decarlos Brown Jr., the suspect who has been charged with first-degree murder, has a lengthy criminal record and a documented history of mental illness. Police said he had previously served time for assault and weapons charges.
Over 2,400 women were killed by men in the U.S. in 2022, according to the Violence Policy Center.
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What To Know
Harry Pavulaan, an avocational entomologist and president and director of the The Taxonomic Report, which publishes research on butterflies and moths, made the decision to name the butterfly after Zarutska.
The butterfly is called Iryna’s Azure and mainly flies in April in South Carolina. Pavulaan published a report about the butterfly back in September, which explains that the butterfly features light-blue wings on its top or side, but can also have a “distinct violet-blue tint.” Though the insect was first spotted in South Carolina back in 1985, it was not officially named.
Speaking to Newsweek via email, Pavulaan said, "Celastrina iryna was under study for several years now and was intended to be published with a different name, later this year."
"But when I saw the horrific video of Iryna being stabbed and then people ignoring her as she lay dying, that hit a nerve with me. It was the most disturbing thing I ever saw and it now haunts me daily. It's something you cannot unsee," he said.
"I decided that she should be honored with a timeless tribute so that she is never, ever forgotten. People will know this butterfly hundreds of years from now, by Iryna's name. But most importantly, I hope people will remember Iryna as a case study of situational awareness for young women. That is why it is important to honor her," he told Newsweek.
After Zarutska’s murder, the North Carolina Legislature passed a bill named after her, which would issue reforms to the state’s criminal justice system.
Iryna’s Law, House Bill 307, will seek to modify the law relating to pretrial release conditions, particularly for people who have been charged with a violent offense.
This bill was signed into law by North Carolina Governor Josh Stein in October.
What People Are Saying
Harry Pavulaan, told Newsweek via email: "The response to the naming of Celastrina iryna, Iryna's Azure, has been overwhelmingly positive. The most touching response has been a heartfelt letter from Anna Zarutska on memorializing her daughter Iryna in this way. Their family will remain in my heart as long as I remain on this earth."
The etymology section of Harry Pavulaan’s paper reads: "The species name is a tribute to Iryna Zarutska, the 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who was senselessly murdered on August 22, 2025, on a Charlotte, N.C. transit car. Common name: Iryna’s Azure. The name is derived from the Greek goddess of peace, and is associated with tranquility, harmony and serenity.”
What’s Next
Brown has been charged with the murder of Zarutska and causing death on a mass transportation system. He is being held without bond at the Mecklenburg County Jail and his federal charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison or a death sentence.
Update 10/27/25, 3:20 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include comment from Harry Pavulaan.
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