Parnassius phoebus
High Alps Apollo ( Parnassius phoebus )
The high Alps Apollo, or Alps Apollo ( Parnassius phoebus ), also alpine Apollo butterfly or high alpine Apollo butterfly is a butterfly ( butterfly ) from the family of Swallowtail Butterfly ( Papilionidae ). In the past two subspecies were distinguished from those of new knowledge, the Asian American population and is considered as a separate species, and thus the former type Parnassius phoebus in Parnassius phoebus and Parnassius was divided sacerdos. Should this approach be correct, the occurring in the Alps High Alps Apollo would have the scientific name Parnassius sacerdos prick wear 1906.
- 3.1 Flight times and caterpillars
- 3.2 food of the caterpillars
- 6.1 Notes and references
- 6.2 Literature
Features
The moths reach a wingspan of 50 to 60 millimeters. You are the Red Apollo ( Parnassius apollo ) are very similar, but are usually somewhat smaller and have a more yellowish-white, instead of white wings color. Secure distinguishing feature is the clear black and white ringed probes that are dark in the similar nature, or have only a vague girdling. Also the high Alps Apollo has on the fore wings very often next several black, two red, black -edged spots, which can be observed at the Red Apollo only very rarely. The hind wings like the similar style two red eye spots and have a more or less pronounced dark markings. The females have a higher contrast and richer black color than the males.
The caterpillars are up to 48 millimeters long and see where the Red Apollo also very similar. They have a black body color and but wear on the sides instead of orange, lemon yellow spots. ( Parnassius mnemosyne ) The caterpillars of the Black Apollo see them with yellow-orange spots similar page, but absent in the habitats of the high Alps Apollo.
Similar Species
- Red Apollo ( Parnassius apollo )
- Clouded Apollo ( Parnassius mnemosyne ) (caterpillar only )
- Herbal Monk ( Cucullia lucifuga ) (only Caterpillar)
Occurrence
The high Alps Apollo is endemic in the European Alps and comes in this, especially in the Central Alps more frequently, in Germany the species is, however, very rare. You are lacking in the northern and southern Alps. They are found at altitudes 1600-2800 meters, in particular 1800-2200 meters. According to the preferences of its caterpillar food plant you hit the high Alps Apollo on especially in damp and marshy places, in sinks ( Schneetälchen ) to source corridors and near mountain streams.
Way of life
Flight times and caterpillars
The high Alps Apollo flies in one generation from late June to late August.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars feed mainly on Fettenhennen - saxifrage ( Saxifraga aizoides ), and probably also other saxifrage species. You should also feed on Houseleeks (Sempervivum ). The occurring in the Austrian Alps subspecies Parnassius phoebus styriacus ( Fruhstorfer, 1851), which was earlier considered by some authors as a separate species, has as a food plant Rhodiola ( Rhodiola rosea).
Development
The females lay their eggs near the caterpillar food plants in moss or dead plants, or on the ground or on stones. The eggs are rarely applied directly to the leaves of forage plants. Hibernation usually takes place as a young caterpillar ungeschlüpft place in the egg, they do not hatch until after the snow melts. Sometimes the caterpillars hatch but before the winter. Pupation takes place in a white, dense, but thin cocoon amongst moss, dead leaves or debris near the food plant.
Threats and conservation
- Red List FRG: 1 ( threatened with extinction ).