# Rocky Mountain Parnassian (*parnassius smintheus*) The Rocky Mountain Parnassian is a beautiful butterfly with stunning white wings and black spots! It flutters around mountain meadows, bringing joy to everyone who sees it. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Mountain meadows and alpine regions in the Rocky Mountains. - **Also known as:** Alpine Parnassian, Mountain Parnassian, Rocky Parnassian Butterfly ![Rocky Mountain Parnassian](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Parnassius_smintheus_5518.JPG&width=800) Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parnassius_smintheus_5518.JPG) ## Appearance The Rocky Mountain Parnassian has creamy-white wings with distinctive black markings and bright red or orange eye-spots on its hindwings. Its wings are somewhat translucent, allowing light to pass through, which makes it visually distinct from most other butterflies. They typically lack tails. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Papilionidae - **Genus:** Parnassius ## Interesting facts - Adult Rocky Mountain Parnassians lay their eggs on stony ground near host plants, not directly on the leaves. - Despite their seemingly slow, fluttery flight, their wing shapes make them incredibly stable flyers in windy conditions. - Their fuzzy caterpillars are dark and look almost like tiny walking woolly bears found in mountain habitats. - These butterflies are often called "ghost butterflies" due to their translucent, almost see-through wings! ## Special abilities - **Toxic Taste:** Rocky Mountain Parnassian caterpillars can absorb toxins from their host plants, making them unappetizing to most predators. - **Mating Seal:** Females develop a unique hardened mating plug, called a sphragis, after mating that prevents re-mating. - **Cold Resilience:** Rocky Mountain Parnassians have dark bodies that help them absorb sunlight, allowing them to warm up and fly in chilly mountain air. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 45-60 mm - **Size:** 25-35 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-30 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults drink flower nectar; caterpillars munch on stonecrop leaves. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars eat plant leaves, while adults feed on liquid nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Flower nectar, Sedum lanceolatum (Lanceleaf stonecrop) leaves, Various alpine wildflowers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Lanceleaf stonecrop](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lanceleaf-stonecrop) (*Sedum lanceolatum*) — Its caterpillars exclusively feed on the leaves of this mountain plant. - **Pollinates:** Rocky Mountain Goldenrod (*Solidago multiradiata*) — Adult butterflies visit its flowers for sweet nectar, helping pollination. - **Pollinates:** [Giant Red Paintbrush](https://www.snappit.app/explore/giant-red-paintbrush) (*Castilleja miniata*) — They aid in pollinating these vibrant red alpine wildflowers for seed production. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Rocky Mountain 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. ### What is Rocky Mountain Parnassian's wingspan? 45-60 mm ### How big is Rocky Mountain Parnassian? 25-35 mm ### How long does Rocky Mountain Parnassian live? 10-30 days ### What does Rocky Mountain Parnassian eat? Adults drink flower nectar; caterpillars munch on stonecrop leaves. ### Where is Rocky Mountain Parnassian usually found? Mountain meadows and alpine regions in the Rocky Mountains. ### How does Rocky Mountain Parnassian hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Rocky Mountain Parnassian have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Pasayten Wilderness](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pasayten-wilderness) — Washington, US · Nature Reserve - [William Allen White Cabins](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/william-allen-white-cabins) — Colorado, US · Historic District - [Fall River Entrance Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fall-river-entrance-historic-district) — Colorado, US · Historic District - [Moraine Park Museum and Amphitheater](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/moraine-park-museum-and-amphitheater) — Colorado, US · Historic District - [Swiftcurrent Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/swiftcurrent-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [White River Entrance](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/white-river-entrance) — Washington, US · Historic District [View all places to see Rocky Mountain Parnassian](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/rocky-mountain-parnassian) ## 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: [Rocky Mountain Parnassian: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rocky-mountain-parnassian)