Switzerland, June 2009
Switzerland, June 2009
Switzerland, July 2006
Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
Switzerland, July 2006
The clouded Apollo is commoner than the Apollo in the part of the Alps where I live, though in general it is a scarcer butterfly. I have also seen it in the Pyrenees. In flight it resembles the black-veined white, but is quite distinctive when it is seen settled. Like all apollos, it has characteristically translucent areas at the wing tips. It seems to be a very difficult insect to approach - I have had very little success even with old, worn individuals. The first picture here was taken recently near me and the second long ago in the canton of Valais.