Published online in:

Chronicles
Fluturat e Shqipërisë
CFeS 2025(1): 1.

Editorial: A Fluttering Beginning.

Publication date: 28.iii.2025.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15091543

Paparisto Anila¹ | Cuvelier Sylvain² 

¹ Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, Bulevardi Zogu i Pare, Tirana University, Al-1001 Tiranë, Albania. anila.paparisto@unitir.edu.al
² Diamantstraat 4, B-8900 Ieper, Belgium. sylvain.cuvelier@telenet.be

What if we told you that Albania is home to over 200 species of butterflies, each carrying a story of resilience, beauty, and transformation?
With every flap of their wings, they remind us of nature’s delicate balance — a balance we are all part of.

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Chronicles Fluturat e Shqipërisë - Butterflies of Albania.
This publication is dedicated to exploring the vibrant world of Albanian butterflies - their habitats, behaviors, and the crucial role they play in our ecosystems. Published on a quadrimestral basis, each edition will offer fresh insights and discoveries. Whether you are a passionate lepidopterist, a nature enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates beauty in its most delicate form, this is a space for you.

Why butterflies? These small yet extraordinary creatures serve as indicators of a healthy environment, pollinators of our wildflowers, and powerful symbols of transformation. Unfortunately, their existence is increasingly threatened by habitat destruction, climate change, and human activities.
Through these publications, we aim to share valuable knowledge, updates, and conservation efforts to help ensure that Albania’s butterflies continue to flourish for generations to come.

In this edition, our first article explores the latest Atlas (published on 09.i.2025) and analyzes the key steps needed to deepen our understanding of butterfly distribution. The second article examines how these findings could inform potential updates to the Red List (2022).

In each edition, we will bring expert insights, field reports, and stunning photography that celebrates the rich diversity of Albanian butterflies.

We believe that conservation starts with awareness and appreciation. If you’ve spotted a rare butterfly, have a story to share, or simply want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you! Together, let’s build a vibrant community of butterfly enthusiasts and nature protectors.

As the renowned naturalist David Attenborough once said, "The natural world is the greatest source of excitement, the greatest source of visual beauty, the greatest source of intellectual interest."
Let’s celebrate these small wonders together, one flutter at a time.

Happy reading,
Anila Paparisto & Sylvain Cuvelier