Photo © Alec Harmer

Small Apollo

Parnassius phoebus

Checklist Number
56.0003 [B&F: 1537]

Verification
Record requires retention of specimen until confirmed, and may require dissection. Consult with CMR if unsure

Classification

Family:Papilionidae
Subfamily:Parnassiinae
Genus:Parnassius
Species:phoebus
Authority:(Fabricius, 1793)

Local in mountains, alpine meadows and rocky areas; 1800-2200 m throughout much of Alps. An individual was found in mountains near Bangor in 1887, either a deliberate release or accidentally introduced on alpine plants. Not recorded in Hampshire or on the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 60-80 mm. Larva feeds on Yellow Saxifrage.