Turkey: Species called butterfly detected as mayfly

ARDAHAN, Turkey

Turkish scientist have said that the species in eastern Turkey which they thought belonged to the butterfly family was actually a mayfly.

The inspect appears every year near the Kura River in Ardahan province.

Feza Can, an insect specialist and member of the research team, said: "... Following examination, we determined that they were not actually butterflies, but other insects belonging to the order Ephemeroptera, which we call 'lasting a day' or 'mayfly'," she told an Anadolu Agency reporter.

Can went on to say that they live for months near wetlands. However, when they become adults most die in a day.

"I hope these insects will not come to the fore as butterflies from now on," she added.