LINCOLN, Neb. (WJZY) -- A butterfly species found in the southeastern U.S. has been named in honor of Iryna Zarutska, the Ukrainian refugee who was murdered on the Charlotte, North Carolina, light rail in August.

The new butterfly species, Celastrina iryna, was studied by researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The name is derived from the Greek goddess of peace, and is associated with tranquility, harmony, and serenity.

Researchers believe this may be a hybrid species. They discovered it is most similar to Celastrina neglecta but "differs in its unique dorsal overlay” of clear wing scales found in Celastrina ladon males.

During the study,........

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