In Europe this species has a scattered distribution occurring locally in mountainous areas from the Balkans to the Iberian Peninsula and as far north as southern and central Fennoscandinavia.
It has declined in many European counties and it is listed on Appendix II of the Bern Convention (1979) and as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It is protected by EU legislation.
Very local in all the higher mountain areas of Bulgaria from about 500m, it can be abundant at some sites and sometimes several Apollos can be seen jostling for nectar on the same thistlehead (see photo above).
Rocky stony flowery habitat where stonecrop grows.
Recorded in 8 (0.4%) of the 1900 10km squares of Bulgaria.
Last recorded in May 2019
Recorded date range (Adult): 19 May to 15 July
