New Zealand approved release of white admiral butterfly

The New Zealand's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved the release of white admiral butterflies.

The Greater Wellington Regional Council applied to the EPA to release the butterflies in order to control Japanese honeysuckle, which it says is causing problems on public land in the North Island.

The application was open for submissions from the public, and was considered by the EPA’s Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Committee.

The Committee weighed the possible risks and benefits of allowing the release, and determined the benefits outweighed the risks.

The Greater Wellington Regional Council now has five years to release the white admiral butterflies, which are also known by the scientific name Limenitis glorifica.
After that time, the approval will lapse if the butterfly has not been released.