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Butterflies of North America

Clodius Parnassian (Parnassius clodius)
JPG -- species photo


Clodius Parnassian (Parnassius clodius Menetries)

Wing span: 2 - 2 1/2 inches (50 - 62 mm).

Identification: Upper surface of forewing cell with 3 dark gray bars. Front wing has no red spots. Upper surface of hindwing with 2 red spots; female usually has red anal bar. Mated females have large, white keeled pouch (sphragis) at end of abdomen.

Life history: Males patrol habitat to find females; after mating they attach a pouch to female to prevent multiple matings. Females lay single eggs scattered on the host plant. Caterpillars feed at night at the base of host plant and pupate in a loose silk cocoon above ground. Overwintering is by the egg stage.

Flight: One flight in June - July.

Caterpillar hosts: Bleeding heart family (Fumariaceae) including Dicentra uniflora, D. formosa, and D. pauciflora.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Open woods, alpine areas, meadows and rock outcrops.

Range: Western Canada and western United States.

Conservation: Subspecies strohbeeni from California's Santa Cruz Mountains is extinct.

Management needs: None noted.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

References:


Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press,

     Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates.



Tilden, J. W. 1986. A field guide to western butterflies.  Houghton-Mifflin Co.,

     Boston, Mass. 370 pages, 23 color plates.

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

Clodius Parnassian (Parnassius clodius)
distribution map
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