Insect
Asian Apollo Butterfly
Parnassius tianschanicusAlso known as Large Keeled Apollo, Tianshan Apollo
High-altitude slopes across Central Asian mountain ranges provide the wind-swept home for these striking butterflies. Creamy translucent wings adorned with black spots and bright crimson-ringed ocelli help absorb heat while warning predators of distasteful toxins sequestered during the caterpillar stage. Adults spend sunny mornings patrolling rocky scree and feeding on mountain flower nectar before taking shelter against harsh alpine winds.
High AltitudeAlpineMountain Species
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyFlower nectar, Sedum leaves, Rhodiola leaves
Predators
- High-altitude birds
- Mountain lizards
- Alpine dragonflies
ThreatsClimate change, habitat degradation, and overcollection
HabitatsAlpine meadows, rocky scree slopes, and high mountain passes
Life span2–4 weeks as adults; 1 year total life cycle
Classification
- FamilyPapilionidae
- SpeciesParnassius tianschanicus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Look for creamy white translucent wings with red-centered spots high on sunny scree slopes.
- Support conservation
- Observe from a distance without disturbing fragile alpine vegetation or capturing individuals.
Responsible observation
- Patience at Flowers: Look for adults feeding on nectar during warm, sunny mountain mornings.
- Respect Alpine Habitat: Stick to established paths to avoid trampling delicate host plants like stonecrop.
Close Relative Hinox / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableClose Relative Close Relative
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.