Parnassius delphius

Parnassius delphius, the banded Apollo, is a high-altitude butterfly which is found in Central Asia. It is a member of the genus Parnassius of the swallowtail (Papilionidae) family.

Description

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

Discal markings dull, submarginal band of forewing distinct, hindmarginal spot absent as a rule; ocelli of hindwing bright carmine, hindmarginal spots black, blackish hindmarginal area broad, two bluish-black anal spots, a faint submarginal and narrow marginal band.<ref>Stichel in Seitz, 1906 (Parnassius). Die Groß-Schmetterlinge der Erde. Die Groß-Schmetterlinge des palaearktischen Faunengebietes. Die palaearktischen Tagfalter, Stuttgart.</ref>

Range

Northern Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Status

Widely distributed. Locally common, generally rare. Not known to be threatened. Requires further research. Protected by law in India. Featured in erstwhile USSR Red Data Book as vulnerable.

File:TransEntSocLondon1915PlateLIII.jpg

Four subspecies of P. delphius

Subspecies

There are up to 44 subspecies.<ref>Funet </ref>

• Delphius infernalis CRW 4334.jpg

  Parnassius delphius infernalis, male from the Alai Mountains

See also

• Papilionidae
• List of butterflies of India
• List of butterflies of India (Papilionidae)

References

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• Sakai S., Inaoka S., Toshiaki A., Yamaguchi S., Watanabe Y., (2002) The Parnassiology. The Parnassius Butterflies, A Study in Evolution, Kodansha, Japan.
• Weiss J.-C., (1992) Parnassiinae of the World - Part 2, Sciences Nat, Venette, France.Template:Papilionidae-stub