Norfolk swallowtail butterfly identified as a distinct subspecies for 200,000 years
Environment

Norfolk swallowtail butterfly identified as a distinct subspecies for 200,000 years

5 Jul 2026 · Originally published 5 Jul 2026 8/10 Original headline: British swallowtail split from European cousins much earlier than thought, study finds
A genetic study has revealed that the British swallowtail butterfly has been a unique subspecies for at least 200,000 years, rather than evolving in isolation over the last 8,000 years. This discovery shifts the understanding of the species from a local variant to a long-standing wetland specialist, providing a new basis for future conservation efforts in the Norfolk Broads.
Source: Guardian Env Norfolk
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