Category: Insect and Arachnid

2010, Insect and Arachnid, Mainland France Selection

The Apollo: A Glacial Relic of the High Peaks

Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo rhodopensis) unfolding its wings in the mountains

A slow and powerful flight, carried by the thermal currents of the summits.

A true survivor from the glacial eras, the Apollo is one of the few butterflies capable of thriving at altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters.

Its sturdy body is covered in fine black hairs that act as a thermal coat, allowing it to absorb every bit of solar heat from the earliest light. Unlike many other butterflies, its flight is heavy and somewhat bird-like, alternating between steady wingbeats and gliding. This energy conservation is vital in an environment dominated by wind and cold. Seeing this white silhouette against the deep blue of the alpine sky remains one of the most magical moments for a mountain photographer.

2010, Alpes, Insect and Arachnid, Mainland France Selection

The Apollo Butterfly (Parnassius apollo): A Fragile Icon of the High Alps

Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo rhodopensis) resting on a mountain flower, French Alps

A fragile symbol of alpine landscapes, the Apollo reminds us of the richness—and vulnerability—of mountain biodiversity.

Emerging each summer on the sun-drenched slopes of the Alps, the Apollo (Parnassius apollo) is one of Europe’s most iconic and protected butterfly species.

Its white wings, dotted with black spots and two distinctive red ocelli (eyespots), serve a vital purpose: startling predators by mimicking the eyes of a larger animal. Highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, the Apollo acts as a “barometer” for climate change. Its larvae depend exclusively on stonecrop plants (Sedum) found in rocky screes. As alpine habitats change, this species is increasingly forced to seek refuge at higher altitudes to survive.

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