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| Parnassius mnemosyne - Clouded Apollo (Papilionidae) Appearance: Parnassius mnemosyne with a wingspan from 57 to 63 mm is one of the smallest apollos. It has creamy white wings with black veins. Males have two black dots on the forewing and one on the hindwing while females have two dots on the forewing and none on the hindwing. Both sexes have variable amounts of grey scaling at the tips of the forewings that looks waxy. The hindwings are strongly indented with grey marks to the inside and with small and variable amount of grey scaling to the outside. Red markings that often found in Apollos are absent in this specimen. Geographical distribution/ habitat: A mountain butterfly that prefers meadows and slightly damp areas like grassy river valleys. Occurs in Asia and in Eastern Europe from Italy northwards very locally. Several of its habitats are threatended by afforestation and development of ski resorts. Host plants: Corydalis spp. Food plants: Visits wildflowers for nectar. Flight time: On the wing from May to July in one generation. In Scandinavia flies from June to early July. Other: A slow flier that keeps close to the ground. Overwinters fully developed inside the egg or as a small caterpillar. Taina's Butterfly Page Photos and Information Index Home Butterfly Garden |
| Parnassius mnemosyne in the grass. Photo by Taina. |