Apollo (Parnassius apollo) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Taken in the Vercors Natural Park, France, on July 20th 2018. (1/400th sec at f14. © David Hastings)  Taken in the Vercors Natural Park, France, on July 20th 2018. (1/500th sec at f14. © David Hastings) DescriptionFamily: Papilionidae Wing span: 62 - 86mm male, 65 - 95mm female This large and conspicuous white butterfly has five large black eyespots on the forewing, and two bright red or sometimes orange eyespots on the hindwing. These striking red eyespots can vary in size and form, and the bright red colour often fades in the sun, causing the eyespots of older individuals to appear more orange. The wings are shiny, with slightly transparent edges. There are at least twenty-three known subspecies. It can be found in mountainous areas in Spain, Scandinavia and Central Europe, in the Balkans up to northern Greece and in the Alps between Italy and France. It prefers hills and flowery alpine meadows and pastures between 1000 and 2500m. It requires specific climatic conditions, specifically cold winters and sunny summers. The pupa is the over-wintering stage. There is one brood per year, with adults being on the wing from May to September. It is regarded as Vulnerable in Europe. Larvae feed on Sedum and Sempervivum species. Thistles and Knapweeds are favourite nectar sources. Sightings
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