Clouded Apollo
Parnassius mnemosyne
The clouded Apollo is a butterfly species of the family of swallowtail butterflies (Papilionidae) found in the Palearctic realm. It is a large butterfly which inhabits meadows and deciduous woodland clearings with plenty of flowering plants, but cannot survive in denser forest.
57
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clouded_Apollo
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Papilionidae
Genus
Parnassius
Clouded Apollo belongs to the family Papilionidae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The clouded Apollo is a butterfly species of the family of swallowtail butterflies (Papilionidae) found in the Palearctic realm. It is a large butterfly which inhabits meadows and deciduous woodland clearings with plenty of flowering plants, but cannot survive in denser forest. It is found both in the lowlands and in the mountains but not usually found at altitudes above 1,500 m (4,900 ft) except in the Central Asian mountains where it is also known from higher altitudes.
The Clouded Apollo faces significant population declines across its European range due to habitat loss and fragmentation from agricultural intensification, urbanization, and abandonment of traditional land management practices. Climate change poses additional threats by altering the distribution and phenology of both the butterfly and its host plants, while the species' specialized ecological requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Mountain meadows, alpine grasslands, and flower-rich slopes typically between 500-2000m elevation, particularly areas with abundant Corydalis species which serve as larval host plants. The species requires a mosaic of habitats including sunny, sheltered spots for adults and specific microhabitats for egg-laying and larval development.
Threats
Abandonment of traditional extensive grazing and mowing practices
Habitat loss and fragmentation from agricultural intensification
Climate change affecting host plant distribution and phenology
Overgrazing and inappropriate land management
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Found in 57 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | NTNear Threatened | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | NTNear Threatened | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/clouded-apollo