Rocky Mountain Parnassian
Parnassius smintheus Doubleday, [1847]
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Parnassiinae
Identification: Antenna has alternate black and white rings. Upperside of forewing of females and most males with 2 red or yellow spots beyond the cell. In some males these spots are black.
Wing Span: 1 3/4 - 2 1/2 inches (4.5 - 6.4 cm).
Life History: Males patrol close to the ground for receptive females. Females lay eggs singly on almost any surface. Caterpillars feed on leaves and occasionally flowers and fruits. Hibernate as eggs.
Flight: One flight June-August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Many species of stonecrop (Sedum) in the Crassulaceae family.
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers of Sedum and Asteraceae family.
Habitat: Open forests, meadows, grasslands.
Range: From New Mexico north along the Rocky Mountains and into southwest Alaska.
Conservation: No populations are of conservation concern.
NCGR:
Management Needs: None noted.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 403 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 07, 2024
Submitted by: Joshua C
Region: Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Apr 14, 2025
Observation date: Jul 07, 2024
Submitted by: Joshua C
Region: Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Apr 14, 2025
Observation date: Aug 27, 2021
Submitted by: dvollmar
Region: San Miguel County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Oct 07, 2024
Observation date: Jul 31, 2024
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Jackson County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 07, 2024
Observation date: Aug 24, 2024
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Sep 04, 2024
Observation date: Jul 28, 2024
Submitted by: DeepSkyKelly
Region: Huerfano County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Aug 29, 2024
Observation date: Jul 28, 2024
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 15, 2024
Observation date: Jul 29, 2024
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 11, 2024
Observation date: Jul 19, 2024
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Rich County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 08, 2024
Observation date: Jul 03, 2024
Submitted by: falco1
Region: Garfield County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 31, 2024
Observation date: Jul 03, 2024
Submitted by: falco1
Region: Garfield County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 13, 2024
Observation date: Jun 25, 2024
Submitted by: k.d.stutzman
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 11, 2024
Observation date: Jul 14, 2023
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Conejos County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jan 05, 2024
Observation date: Aug 26, 2023
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Nov 06, 2023
Observation date: Jul 12, 2023
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Park County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 10, 2023
Observation date: Aug 08, 2023
Submitted by: Jon Kindschy
Region: Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 04, 2023
Observation date: Aug 19, 2023
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 29, 2023
Observation date: Jul 30, 2017
Submitted by: dingoqueen
Region: Box Elder County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Sep 04, 2017
Submitted by: fzs
Region: Utah County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Jun 03, 2020
Submitted by: Robb Hannawacker
Region: San Juan County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Aug 15, 2023
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 19, 2023
Observation date: Jul 20, 2023
Submitted by: flyinganvil
Region: Wallowa County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 07, 2023
Observation date: Jul 25, 2023
Submitted by: Jerry Friedman
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 27, 2023
Observation date: Jul 18, 2023
Submitted by: regina rochefort
Region: Skagit County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 24, 2023
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