Apollo Butterfly

*Parnassius apollo*

Description
The Apollo Butterfly (Parnassius apollo) is one of Europe’s most iconic and endangered butterflies. Found in high-altitude mountainous regions, this stunning species is instantly recognizable by its large, semi-transparent white wings adorned with distinctive red eyespots on the hindwings. The Apollo has a wingspan of 7–9 cm and belongs to the Papilionidae family, though unlike typical swallowtails, it lacks tail extensions on its hindwings.

Identification Tips

• Large white wings with a semi-transparent, almost glass-like appearance.
• Hindwings feature prominent red or orange eyespots with black borders and small white centers.
• Forewings have several black spots along the leading edge.
• Wingspan: 7–9 cm.
• Lacks the tail extensions typical of most swallowtail species.
• Body is densely covered with fine grey hairs, an adaptation to cold mountain climates.

Life Cycle & Behavior
The Apollo Butterfly undergoes complete metamorphosis with a single brood per year. Adults emerge in late spring and are active from June through August. They are slow, gliding fliers, often seen visiting flowers on sunny mountain slopes. Males patrol territories and search for newly emerged females. Eggs are laid singly on or near the host plant. The caterpillars are black with small orange spots and overwinter as pupae hidden among rocks.

Host Plants & Habitat

• Caterpillar Host Plants: Stonecrops and other succulent plants in the Crassulaceae family, particularly Sedum album and Sedum telephium.
• Adult Nectar Sources: Thistles, knapweeds, scabious, and other alpine wildflowers.
• Habitat: Alpine and subalpine meadows, rocky slopes, and scree at elevations between 500 and 2,500 meters. Found in mountain ranges across Europe, including the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, and parts of Scandinavia.

Conservation Status
Listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. Major threats include climate change (warming temperatures force populations to move higher until no suitable habitat remains), habitat loss from ski resort development and tourism, and illegal collection by butterfly enthusiasts.

Identification Tips

Large semi-transparent white wings with red eyespots on hindwings. Black spots on forewings. No tail extensions.

Similar Species

*No similar species recorded yet.*

Related Species

* Other species in this family (to be linked manually).