Rare Butterfly Along Front Range Has Appetite For Hops

DENVER (CBS4) - Colorado zoologists want to learn more about a rare butterfly with a love for a key ingredient in beer.

The celestrina humulus is almost never seen but lives across the Front Range in between El Paso County and Wyoming. The insect can only be spotted in a few parts of the country.

Researchers don't know much celestrina humulus but have learned it has a big appetite for hops. So now they're working with craft brewers to learn more about the butterfly.

Odell Brewing Company in Fort Collins is introducing a French style beer named after the insect. For every bottle sold Odell will donate $1 to research.