Several weeks earlier than expected this year, the butterflies of the species Panaxia quadripunctaria left the Valley of the Butterflies in Rhodes, with their population declining dramatically within just 24 hours. Scientists monitoring the habitat attribute their premature departure to prolonged high temperatures, reduced humidity and changes recorded in recent years in the area’s microclimate.

The scale of the phenomenon was noticed by the person responsible for the operation of the Valley, who submitted a written report, noting that a large number of butterflies had left the habitat’s humid shelters within an extremely short period of time.

Their movement is part of their natural biological cycle and is observed gradually every autumn. This year, however, the process occurred much earlier and at an unusually rapid rate.

According to the scientists monitoring the area, the prolonged heat and lack of humidity appear to have contributed to the butterflies’ premature departure. At the same time, they point to the broader pressures affecting the Valley’s distinctive microclimate in recent years.

According to rodiaki.gr, the mass departure significantly changed the appearance of the well-known habitat, as visitors no longer encounter the butterfly population they had expected to see.

This development led the management of DERMAE to reconsider the admission price. Its president, Valantis Lambis, stated in his recommendation to the Board of Directors that “the natural spectacle is no longer impressive,” requesting that the ticket price be adjusted to reflect the Valley’s current appearance, in order to reduce complaints from visitors.

Ultimately, the Board of Directors unanimously decided to bring forward the reduction in the ticket price, which had originally been scheduled for October 1. Thus, as of today, Friday, September 25, the ticket price is €3, down from €6.