White pioneer butterflies swarm Diyarbakır's Hevsel Gardens

The Hevsel Gardens and Dicle Valley in Diyarbakır are currently hosting large swarms of the white pioneer butterfly (Belenois aurota). These butterflies are feeding and mating along the Dicle Valley, with females specifically selecting caper plants (Capparis spinosa) to lay their eggs on the leaves.

Prof. Dr. Ali Satar from Dicle University noted that the eggs are expected to hatch into caterpillars within approximately 10 to 15 days. According to data from the Butterflies of Turkey (TRAKEL) website, this species is only recorded in the Southeast Anatolia region within Turkey, despite having a global distribution that spans from sub-Saharan Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Peninsula, and the Himalayas.

In addition to the white pioneer butterfly, other species such as the Sultan butterfly and the Dicle Beauty can also be observed in the area. Prof. Satar has invited nature observers to visit the region to witness this biological cycle.