Parnassius boedromius is a high-altitude butterfly found in Asia. It has a restricted range, known only along the borders of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Xinjiang, China. Formerly a subspecies of Parnassius simo. It is a member of the snow Apollo genus (Parnassius) of the swallowtail family (Papilionidae).
| Parnassius boedromius | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Naryn Region, Kyrgyzstan, 2004 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Papilionidae |
| Genus: | Parnassius |
| Species: | P. boedromius |
| Binomial name | |
| Parnassius boedromius Püngeler, 1901 | |
Description
Note: The wing pattern in Parnassius species is inconsistent and the very many subspecies and forms make identification problematic and uncertain. Structural characters derived from the genitalia, wing venation, sphragis and foretibial epiphysis are more, but not entirely reliable. The description given here is a guide only. For an identification key see Ackery P.R. (1975).[1]
Parnassius boedromius is distinguished by a reduction of the markings. On the forewing the discal band almost entirely absent, no red spots either above or below, ocelli vestigial.[2]
References
- Sakai S., Inaoka S., Toshiaki A., Yamaguchi S., Watanabe Y., (2002) The Parnassiology. The Parnassius Butterflies, A Study in Evolution, Kodansha, Japan.
Further reading
- sv:Parnassius boedromius Swedish Wikipedia provides further references and synonymy