# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Found in moist montane and subalpine meadows, forest openings, and streamsides in western North America. ![Clodius Parnassian](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/4113503/medium.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Papilionidae - **Genus:** Parnassius ## 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 - **Sphragis Lock:** During mating, males secrete a waxy structure called a sphragis onto the female's abdomen, preventing her from mating with other males. - **Heliothermic Basking:** They use their dark, hairy bodies and translucent wings to absorb solar radiation, allowing them to fly in near-freezing alpine temperatures. - **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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mountain-bluebird) (*Sialia currucoides*) — An avian predator that hunts adult butterflies in flight across open mountain meadows. ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Clodius Parnassian? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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. ## Where to spot - [Murie Ranch Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/murie-ranch-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [Great Sierra Mine Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/great-sierra-mine-historic-site) — California, US · Historic Site ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Clodius Parnassian: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/clodius-parnassian)