After 20-year quest, Vt. biologist discovers rare butterfly

NORWICH, Vt. (WCAX) - A rare new butterfly has been found in Vermont.

After over two decades of searching, biologist Bryan Pfeiffer found a bog elfin on protected state land in northern Vermont in May.

The butterfly is brown and about the size of a penny and during its short time as an adult, can only be found for a few weeks in remote bogs.

“This is a butterfly that we now have joined with a few other states and provinces with the responsibility to protect it, to make sure it doesn’t go extinct -- because it is vulnerable,” Pfeiffer said.

He says now that they know the butterfly is in the Green Mountains, work will now be to find more and conserve it.

Related Stories:

How you can help with Vermont’s 2nd Butterfly Atlas

Copyright 2023 WCAX. All rights reserved.