Rocky Mountain Parnassian - Hodges#4155.2
Parnassius smintheus
This record describes Parnassius smintheus (species). Recorded family: Papilionidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Antenna has alternate black and white rings. Upperside of forewing of females and most males with 2 red or yellow spots beyond the cell. In some males these spots are black. Often called by the name Parnassius phoebus , a closely related Eurasian species. Many people consider all North American populations to belong to that species, many prefer to separate them. Some authors split North American populations into more than one species; usually two or three, with the northernmost populations included in P. phoebus , and the rest in P. smintheus ; or, the Sierra Nevada populations may be separated as Parnassius behrii . These regional species are best distinguished by where they are found. Populations from high elevation and northern latitudes tend to average darker and smaller in size.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Papilionidae (Swallowtails, Parnassians)
- Subfamily
- Parnassiinae
- Tribe
- Parnassiini
- Genus
- Parnassius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Open forests, meadows, grasslands.
Geographic Range
mountains from California, Utah, and New Mexico north into southern Yukon.
Seasonal Activity
One flight June-August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Caterpillar hosts: Species of Stonecrop ( Sedum ) in the family Crassulaceae. Perhaps also Saxifraga in family Saxifragaceae, though not reported for North American populations. Adult food: Nectar from flowers, with Sedum and Asteraceae often favored.
Life History
Males patrol close to the ground for receptive females. Females lay eggs singly on almost any surface. Caterpillars feed on leaves and occasionally flowers and fruits. Hibernate as eggs.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Smintheus (Σμινθευς), is one of the names used for Apollo in ancient Greece.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Parnassius smintheus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Rocky Mountain Parnassian - Hodges#4155.2 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason , Steve Nanz , Matthew Roth , Chuck Entz , David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Rocky Mountain Parnassian - Hodges#4155.2
What is Rocky Mountain Parnassian - Hodges#4155.2?
Rocky Mountain Parnassian - Hodges#4155.2 (Parnassius smintheus) is a species in the family Papilionidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Rocky Mountain Parnassian - Hodges#4155.2?
Wing span: 1 3/4 - 2 1/2 inches (4.5 - 6.4 cm).
How do you identify Rocky Mountain Parnassian - Hodges#4155.2?
Antenna has alternate black and white rings. Upperside of forewing of females and most males with 2 red or yellow spots beyond the cell. In some males these spots are black. Often called by the name Parnassius phoebus , a closely related Eurasian species. Many people consider all North American populations to belong to that species, many prefer to separate them. Some authors split North American populations into more than one species; usually two or three, with the northernmost populations included in P. phoebus , and the rest in P. smintheus ; or, the Sierra Nevada populations may be separated as Parnassius behrii . These regional species are best distinguished by where they are found.
Where is Rocky Mountain Parnassian - Hodges#4155.2 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Open forests, meadows, grasslands. |
| Range | mountains from California, Utah, and New Mexico north into southern Yukon. |
What does Rocky Mountain Parnassian - Hodges#4155.2 eat?
The diet of the Rocky Mountain Parnassian - Hodges#4155.2 includes Caterpillar hosts: Species of Stonecrop ( Sedum ) in the family Crassulaceae. Perhaps also Saxifraga in family Saxifragaceae, though not reported for North American populations. Adult food: Nectar from flowers, with Sedum and Asteraceae often favored..
When is Rocky Mountain Parnassian - Hodges#4155.2 active?
Rocky Mountain Parnassian - Hodges#4155.2: seasonal activity - One flight June-August..
What is the life cycle of a Rocky Mountain Parnassian - Hodges#4155.2?
Males patrol close to the ground for receptive females. Females lay eggs singly on almost any surface. Caterpillars feed on leaves and occasionally flowers and fruits. Hibernate as eggs.