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Clodius Parnassian
Parnassius clodius Ménétriés, 1857
Attributes of Parnassius clodiusFamily: Parnassians and Swallowtails (Papilionidae) Subfamily: Parnassians (Parnassiinae) Identification: Upper surface of forewing cell with 3 dark gray bars. Front wing has no red spots. Upper surface of hindwing with 2 red spots; female usually has red anal bar. Mated females have large, white keeled pouch (sphragis) at end of abdomen. Life history: Males patrol habitat to find females; after mating they attach a pouch to female to prevent multiple matings. Females lay single eggs scattered on the host plant. Caterpillars feed at night at the base of host plant and pupate in a loose silk cocoon above ground. Overwintering is by the egg stage. Flight: One flight in June - July. Wing span: 2 - 2 1/2 inches (50 - 62 mm). Caterpillar hosts: Bleeding heart family (Fumariaceae) including Dicentra uniflora, D. formosa, and D. pauciflora. Adult food: Flower nectar. Habitat: Open woods, alpine areas, meadows and rock outcrops. Range: Western Canada and western United States. Conservation: Subspecies strohbeeni from California's Santa Cruz Mountains is extinct. NatureServe Global Status: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. Management needs: None noted. | Documented Records for Parnassius clodius
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