Clodius Parnassian
ExploreInsects
Clodius Parnassian
parnassius clodius
The Clodius Parnassian is an elegant, high-altitude butterfly belonging to the swallowtail family. Found in the moist montane meadows and cool forest edges of western North America, this resilient insect is celebrated for its slow, floating flight and its ability to thrive in chilly, alpine environments where few other butterflies can survive. Unlike typical swallowtails, it lacks the characteristic tail extensions, boasting a more rounded wing shape instead.
Habitat: Found in moist montane and subalpine meadows, forest openings, and streamsides in western North America.
Appearance
With a wingspan ranging from 5 to 7 centimeters, the Clodius Parnassian features beautiful, semi-translucent white wings that look almost like delicate parchment. The forewings are marked with dark gray or black spots and charcoal-toned outer margins, while the hindwings display striking red or orange spots ringed with black. Its body is notably dark and covered in fine, insulating hair-like scales, which help it retain warmth in cold mountain air.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyPapilionidaeGenusParnassius
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
The translucent areas on their wings are actually bald spots that lack the typical overlapping scales found on other butterflies.
Their eggs are laid directly on the ground or on forest leaf litter near the host plant rather than on the plant leaves themselves.
They are closely related to the famous Apollo butterfly of Europe and share similar alpine survival strategies.
Special abilities
Ability
Sphragis Lock
During mating, males secrete a waxy structure called a sphragis onto the female's abdomen, preventing her from mating with other males.
Ability
Heliothermic Basking
They use their dark, hairy bodies and translucent wings to absorb solar radiation, allowing them to fly in near-freezing alpine temperatures.
Ability
Chemical Sequestration
The caterpillars feed on toxic plants and store defensive compounds in their bodies to make themselves unpalatable to predators.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 2+ cm
- Wingspan
- 5+ cm
- Weight
- 0.0001+ kg
- Lifespan
- 1+ years
- Top Speed
- 12 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 50+
- Incubation
- 10+ days
Diet & Feeding
Caterpillars feed strictly on the leaves of bleeding heart plants, while adults forage for nectar from various montane wildflowers.
Primary Foods
- Pacific Bleeding Heart leaves
- Aster nectar
- Senecio nectar
- Stonecrop nectar
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
host plant
Pacific Bleeding Heart
Dicentra formosa
The primary larval host plant, providing essential nutrition and chemical defenses for caterpillars.
mutualism
Arrowleaf Ragwort
Senecio triangularis
Provides a crucial nectar source for adult butterflies during the peak summer breeding season.
eaten by
Mountain Bluebird
Sialia currucoides
An avian predator that hunts adult butterflies in flight across open mountain meadows.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Clodius Parnassian?
The easiest way to identify Clodius Parnassian is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Clodius Parnassian?
2+ cm
What is Clodius Parnassian's wingspan?
5+ cm
How much does Clodius Parnassian weigh?
0.0001+ kg
How long does Clodius Parnassian live?
1+ years
How fast can Clodius Parnassian move?
12 km/h
What does Clodius Parnassian eat?
Caterpillars feed strictly on the leaves of bleeding heart plants, while adults forage for nectar from various montane wildflowers.
Where is Clodius Parnassian usually found?
Found in moist montane and subalpine meadows, forest openings, and streamsides in western North America.
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