Parnassius simonius is a high-altitude butterfly which is found only in the Pamir Mountains of Central Asia. The type locality is Aram-Kunghei, Zaalaisky Mountains, Kyrgyzstan. It is a member of the snow Apollo genus (Parnassius) of the swallowtail family, Papilionidae.

Parnassius simonius
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Parnassius
Species:
P. simonius
Binomial name
Parnassius simonius

P. simonius is found on slopes at 3,400-4,500 m flying in July. The larva is associated with Lagotis decumbens and Veronica luetkeana.

Identification edit

P. simo differs from P. simonius by the upper hindwing having its submarginal band represented by a discontinuous row of arrow-like teeth and from P. boedromius, by the upper hindwing submarginal band being smoothly dentate (tooth like).

Subspecies edit

  • Parnassius simonius simonius
  • Parnassius simonius grayi Avinoff, 1916
  • Parnassius simonius nigrificatus Kreuzberg, 1986
  • Parnassius simonius taldicus Gundorov, 1991[1]

References edit

Further reading edit