Parnassius ariadne

Parnassius ariadne
Parnassius ariadne forma primopicta
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Parnassius
Species: P. ariadne
Binomial name
Parnassius ariadne
Lederer, 1853

Parnassius ariadne Lederer, 1853 is a high altitude butterfly which is found in Central Asia. It is a member of the Snow Apollo genus Parnassius of the Swallowtail (Papilionidae) family.

Range

Altai (nominate subspecies) The type locality is "...sudwestlichen Vorbergen des Altai an kahlten felsigen Stellen" [Bukhtarma River sources, Altai]. Subspecies clarius sensu Bryk and Eisner, 1932 are found in the Saur and the Tarbagatai

Biology

Adults fly on open flowery slopes in the forest zone up to 1,800 - 2,000 in the Altai. In Saur and Tarbagatai, the insect is also found at lower altitudes (down to 300 m), preferring stony slopes and canyons. The flight period is May to July. The host plant of the larva is Corydalis (C. nobilis and some others). The insects hibernate in the egg stage or newly hatched larvae.

Identification

Note. The wing pattern in Parnassius species is inconsistent and the very many subspecies and forms make identification problematic and uncertain. Structural characters derived from the genitalia, wing venation, sphragis and foretibial epiphysis are more, but not entirely reliable. The description given here is a guide only.For an identification key see Ackery P.R. (1975[1]

References

  1. ↑ Ackery P.R. (1975) A guide to the genera and species of Parnassiinae (Lepidoptera:Papilionidae). Bull. Br. Mus. nat. Hist. (Ent.) 31, 4 pdf