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Copper butterfly at Balmoral Heights Park, Mt Eden, Auckland. Photo: Angela Moon-Jones
The majority of Aotearoa's butterflies have not yet been described, according to the Moth and Butterflies NZ Trust In fact, less than 50 percent of our insects have a scientific description. The result is most of our copper butterflies have been grouped as 'common coppers' when there may be many more.
To fix this identification gap, The Butterfly Discovery Project is launching a full study to analyse the DNA of New Zealand's largest group of butterflies. Joining the show to tell us more is project manager and butterfly lover Angela Moon-Jones. Head over here for the project's Givealittle page.