Papilionidae: Parnassiinae

06953 Clouded Apollo Parnassius mnemosyne, (Linnaeus, 1758)

BF -- (ABH56.000)

Bansko, Pirin Mtns., 6th July 2006
Bansko, Pirin Mtns., 6th July 2006
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Bansko, Pirin Mtns., 6th July 2006
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
 2010-2016
 2017
 2018
 2019
near Borovets, Rila Mtns., 21st June 2010. 1 of 2.
near Borovets, Rila Mtns., 21st June 2010. 1 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
near Borovets, Rila Mtns., 21st June 2010. 2 of 2.
near Borovets, Rila Mtns., 21st June 2010. 2 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Slavyanka Mtn., foothills, Sw Bulgaria. 12th May 2015.
Slavyanka Mtn., foothills, Sw Bulgaria. 12th May 2015.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Western Stara Planina Mtns., NW Bulgaria. 26th June 2017. Female with sphragus visible..
Western Stara Planina Mtns., NW Bulgaria. 26th June 2017. Female with sphragus visible..
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Western Stara Planina Mtns., NW Bulgaria. 26th June 2017. Note yellow pollen collar.
Western Stara Planina Mtns., NW Bulgaria. 26th June 2017. Note yellow pollen collar.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
near Borovets, Rila Mtns., 12th June 2011. Female. 1 of 2. Note yellow pollen collar. and sphragus.
near Borovets, Rila Mtns., 12th June 2011. Female. 1 of 2. Note yellow pollen collar. and sphragus.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
nr Borovets, Rila Mtns., 12th June 2011. Female. 2 of 2. Note yellow pollen & sphragus.
nr Borovets, Rila Mtns., 12th June 2011. Female. 2 of 2. Note yellow pollen & sphragus.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Vihren, Pirin Mtns., 7th July 2006. Female showing yellow pollen collar & sphragus
Vihren, Pirin Mtns., 7th July 2006. Female showing yellow pollen collar & sphragus
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Sveshtari, NE Bulgaria, late May 2014, male.
Sveshtari, NE Bulgaria, late May 2014, male.
 Photo © Hilary Bailey
Western Stara Planina, Serbia, 10th June 2016. Male.
Western Stara Planina, Serbia, 10th June 2016. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

In Europe the Clouded Apollo has a scattered distribution from the Balkan Peninsula to the Pyrenees and north to Fennoscandia, occuring especially in mountainous areas in southern Europe.

 

In Bulgaria it is widespread but local in mountain areas but occuring at lower altitudes (from sea-level) north of the Stara Planina (central west-east spine also called the Balkan Mountains). 

 

It is surprisingly easy for the unwary (sometimes even the wary - when not paying attention!) to confuse this species in flight with the generally much more  common and numerous Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi), espeically with females of the latter species as they too have semi-transparent areas of their wings, are a similar size and the way of flyng can also be similar.

 

I have noted that older (more worn) specimens sometimes have a yellow collar and yellow on their legs and abdomen. I presume this is pollen that has stuck to their bodies from numerous yellow flowers they have visited, probably largely Asteraceae. This can be seen clearly In three of the photos below.

 

Mated females often have a whitish sphragus under the end of their abdomen, which is deposited by the male after mating. This is done to prevent further mating by other males.

 

Foodplants: Corydalis spp.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a larva.

Flying: Flies in a single generation from May to July
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Near Threatened

Habitat

Open deciduous, mixed and coniferous woodland and glades, grassy slopes, gorges etc., especially in mountain areas.

Regional Information

Recorded in 15 (0.8%) of the 1900 10km squares of Bulgaria.

Last recorded in June 2019

Recorded date range (Adult): 12 May to 11 July

Similar Species
Orelek, South Pirin Mtns., 4th July 2011
Orelek, South Pirin Mtns., 4th July 2011
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Apollo Parnassius apollo
Popovo Livadi, Pirin Mtns., 30th June 2006. Male.
Popovo Livadi, Pirin Mtns., 30th June 2006. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Black-veined White Aporia crataegi

Near Threatened