Parnassius epaphus
Encyclopedia
Common Red Apollo Parnassius epaphus is a high altitude butterfly
which is found in India. It is a member of the Snow Apollo genus Parnassius
of the Swallowtail (Papilionidae) family. This handsome butterfly is found from 9,000 to 13,000 ft from Chitral
to Sikkim
and is Not Rare.
Superficially this form closely resembles Parnassius jacquemontii
, but besides the structural differences of the anal pouch in the fertilized female, in markings it differs as follows:
Male Upperside, fore wing: the crimson black-encircled spots reduced to a minute subcostal dot in the black mark beyond the cell; the subhyaline terminal margin much narrower, with dentate white spots in the interspaces along the actual margin; cilia white, markedly alternated with black at the apices of the veins. Hind wing: the dusky black along the dorsal margin comparatively much broader, its inner border more irregular, deeply bi-emarginate, the crimson centre to the black mark above the tornal angle entirely absent. In no specimens that I have seen are the crimson spots centred with white. Underside: with the same glazed appearance as in jacquemontii; markings as on the upperside, but on the fore wing the white dentate spots in the terminal row are larger, which give to the wing the appearance of having a subterminal as well as a post-discal transverse series of dusky-black lunules. On the hind wing the row of basal and the obliquely-placed pre-tornal spots are as in jacquemontii but of a duller shade, while as in that form all the crimson spots are broadly centred with white. Antennae differ from those of jacquemonti as they are conspicuously ringed with white. Female differs from the male in the dusky black markings on the upperside that are broader, especially the postdiscal series on the fore wing: this generally forms a diffuse band and so often restricts the lunules of the white ground-colour beyond it, blending as it does diffusely with the subhyaline terminal margin. Anal pouch of fertilized female differs conspicuously from that of jacquemontii female in the complete absence of the posterior high keel or carina.
, Pakistan
, Tadzikistan, Northern India
(Jammu & Kashmir and Sikkim
), Nepal
, Bhutan
and China
. Fairly broadly distributed.
and not known to be threatened. The subspecies P. e. hillensis is protected by law in India.
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
which is found in India. It is a member of the Snow Apollo genus Parnassius
Parnassius
Parnassius is a genus of northern circumpolar and montane butterflies usually known as Apollos. They can vary in colour and form significantly based on their altitude. They also show an adaptation to high altitudes called altitudinal melanism...
of the Swallowtail (Papilionidae) family. This handsome butterfly is found from 9,000 to 13,000 ft from Chitral
Chitral
Chitral or Chetrar , translated as field in the native language Khowar, is the capital of the Chitral District, situated on the western bank of the Kunar River , in Pakistan. The town is at the foot of Tirich Mir, the highest peak of the Hindu Kush, high...
to Sikkim
Sikkim
Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
and is Not Rare.
Description
- For terms used in the description see glossary of Lepidopteran termsGlossary of Lepidopteran termsThis glossary describes the terms used in the formal descriptions of insect species, jargon used mostly by professionals or entomologist....
Superficially this form closely resembles Parnassius jacquemontii
Parnassius jacquemontii
Keeled Apollo Parnassius jacquemontii is a high altitude butterfly which is found in India and Pakistan. It is a member of the Snow Apollo genus Parnassius of the Swallowtail family...
, but besides the structural differences of the anal pouch in the fertilized female, in markings it differs as follows:
Range
AfghanistanAfghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, Tadzikistan, Northern India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
(Jammu & Kashmir and Sikkim
Sikkim
Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
), Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Fairly broadly distributed.
Status
It is broadly distributed across AsiaAsia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
and not known to be threatened. The subspecies P. e. hillensis is protected by law in India.
See also
Other references
- Evans, W.H., (1932) The Identification of Indian Butterflies (2nd Ed), Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai, India
- 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., (2005) Parnassiinae of the World - Part 4, Hillside Books, CanterburyHillside Books, Canterbury- Origin :It was established in 1989 and was directed by Lydie Leforestier.The name comes from they were initially located Hillside Avenue at Canterbury.Then, they were situated in Lindfield, West Sussex, U.K.- Activities :...
, UK.http://www.insects.demon.co.uk/mono/Weiss4-english.html