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Phoebus Apollo - Alpen Apollo

Parnassius phoebus (=Parnassius sacerdos)

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46.2283, 7.10062

Field Notes

Description:

This beautiful Alpine species is a large white butterfly with distinctive red and black rings. It is similar only to the Apollo, Parnassius apollo, with the following differences: red marks on forewings near the apex, and
boldly striped black and white antennae. The Asian-North American Parnassius phoebus appears not to be conspecific with this Alpine species. Please see notes regarding taxonomy.

Habitat:

Alpine meadow, alt. 1500 m. Flower is Carduus defloratus.

Notes:

Opinions on taxonomy seem to differ for this species, depending on distribution and nationality of authors. P. sacerdos is considered a subspecies or a separate species depending on the authors:
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpenapollo
http://pieris.ch/seiten/main.php?page=art&art=pap_sacerdos
http://www.lepinet.fr/especes/nation/lep/?e=p&id=29180
http://insectnet.proboards.com/thread/1481
http://www.lepiforum.de/bestimmung.pl?md=read;id=26645

Reference Links:

Parnassius phoebus, Parnassius sacerdos (www.pieris.ch © Heiner Ziegler)

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (24)
Fyn Kynd
Beautiful spotting, Daniele! I love the Parnassius.
Frederic Ansermoz
Thank you for your comment Daniele, you have a great and furnished gallery! Belles photos de Suisse et d'ailleurs! Félicitations!
Debbie Stewart
Beautiful spotting Daniele! its so nice when you finally stumble across something you have been searching for :-)
DanielePralong
Thanks Tamar, Dominik and Kathleen! That was my lucky day :-) I was thrilled. On previous outings I failed to see them, or they didn't cooperate with photography! I saw 3 specimen in total on that day. They other two were flying as a pair further down in the same habitat, but didn't land.
ForestDragon
Daniele, this is a truly beautiful Butterfly! Those red spots and black stripes are striking against the white coloration.
DanielePralong
Thank you ladies! I have spent hours walking/looking for these and came across this one by chance; it's not always like that :-)
Jopy
wow, wonderful, one of most beautiful butterflies :)

Spotted for Missions

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Butterflies & Moths of the World
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European Butterflies and Moths
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Swiss wildlife
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2013 Best Wildlife Photo
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project

Tags

Photographed
PublishedJuly 29, 2013

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