Papilionidae of Pakistan

 


Subfamily: PARNASSIINAE                                     Tribe: Parnassiini



Hypermnestra Ménétriés


Hypermnestra helios

Photo © G Waldeck

 

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, Turkmenistan

1. Hypermnestra helios (Nickerl, 1846)
    English: Desert Apollo
 Synonyms: Parnassius balucha (Moore, 1906); Hypermnestra balucha (Stichel, 1907); Hypermnestra helios (Bingham, 1907 )

Larva on Zygophyllum, Halimiphyllum

Description: Wingspan is 45-55 mm.. It has very thin scaling on the wings; hairy tough body and pear shaped hind wing. Anal fold in the hind wing missing. Fore wings are pale straw yellow. There is a square black spot on the mid cell and a narrow spot on the end cell. Fore wing has on the base densely and on the costal margin highly irrorated black scales. There are black spots on the upper discal and upper costal area of hind wings. The under side of the hind wings carry dark yellowish green transverse bands in the basal, medium and sub marginal areas (Pt.1A). Horing and plugs are lacking in the females. These are found on sunny slopes. Seven subspecies have been described from the world. It was reported from Baluchistan by Talbot (1939), Collins & Morris (1985), LRI (1999), Savela (1999) and Waldeck (1999).



Parnassius Latreille, 1804

Parnassius acco

TIndia, Nerpal, China, Bhutan and Pakistan

1. Parnassius acco (Gray, 1853)

Cat. lep. Ins. Br. Mus. I:76

     English: Varnished Apollo

Synonym: Tadumia acco (Bryk, 1853)

Description: Wingspan is 40-60 mm. It is comparatively smaller. Wing margins with yellowish or tawny cilia. Fore wings have fairly well defined dark grey marginal borders with three complete bands distally. White or yellowish white celia exists on margins of wing while hind wing is margined with black and bears two red centered spots between vein 7 and 8 and vein 4 and 5 (Pt.1B). There is a conspicuous phragis comprising two parallel down covered points. In females after fertilization pouch is baggy. Several subspecies have been described from the world. It has been reported by Talbot (1939) from Karakoram and Baltistan by Collins & Morris (1985) and Mani (1986) from Karakoram, Baltoro and Savela (1999) from Karakoram.


Parnassius actius

Photo © G Waldeck

Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan,Kirghizia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir, China


2. Parnassius actius (Eversmann, 1843)

Bull. Soc. nat. Moscau 16:540

 Larva on Rhodiola

Description: Wingspan is 55-70 mm. It is small in size; ground colour well developed. It is not heavily marked with black scaling and its marginal borders are thin. Red centered spots on the fore wings are lacking but there are 2 red spots ringed with black between veins 7 and 8 and veins 4 and 5. The female has a carinate pouch. Fore wings with a narrow vitreous margin and the sub marginal spots not well developed. The male is usually with anterior ocelli spots centered with red, while in females both spots are red centered. Sub marginal ring of black spots are reduced to gray scaling in some males. Females are more heavily marked. After fertilization the female has a carinate pouch. About 19 subspecies have been described from the world. It has been reported by Talbot (1939) from Chitral and Kashmir by Collins & Morris (1985) and Mani (1986) from Himalaya, Chitral and Gilgit.



Parnassius boëdromius

Photo © G Waldeck

Tadzhikistan, Kirghizia, Kashmir, N.India, Tibet, W.China

3. Parnassius boëdromius (Püngeler)

     English: Blackedged Apollo

Larva probably on Lagotis glabosa, L. decumbens

     Pupa hibernating

Description: Wingspan is 45-50 mm. The upper fore wing has a paler less distinct markings. The upper surface of hind wing with sagittate row of dark grey spots. The post discal spot in the hind wing is wholly black. Several subspecies have been described. Previously it was reported by Talbot (1939),Tytler (1926) and Mani (1986) from Gilgit. It was now collected from Deosai Plateau.

 



Parnassius charltonius ssp. Photo © Dr Ather Rafi

Kirghizia, Tadzhikistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan, N.India, Kashmir, Tibet

4. Parnassius charltonius (Gray, 1853)

Cat. Lep. Ins. Br. Mus. I:77

    English: Regal Apollo
Synonyms: Kailasius charltonius (Bryk, 1922); Parnassius charltonius (Evans, 1932)

Larva on Corydalis stricta, C. gortschakovi

Description: Wingspan is 80-90 mm. It carries very large red ocelli on the hind wing which is usually white centered and extends from vein 4 to 6. There are two marginal and sub marginal grey bands and thick black bars across mid cell on fore wing . In addition to disco-cellular spot there is red bar and small red ocellus on the outer end between vein 7 and 8 on the hind wings. A sub marginal ring of bluish white centered black spots surrounded by grayish band exists on hind wing. Female is larger than male. After fertilization the female has a very distinct rounded abdominal plug. This plug is heliform or snail shell shaped when viewed from the side. Male butterflies spend mid day patrolling along cliff face. This place is rarely visited by males. It flies over steep rocky or clay slopes near glaciers, rarely settling on the ground. It is a sun-lover. Some 17 subspecies have been described. Previously it was reported by Talbot (1939) from North West Himalaya by Collins & Morris (1985) and Mani (1986) from Northwest Himalya and Chitral. It was presently collected by Kaghan, Babusar Pass, Chilas, and Sakardu.

P charltonius distribution map

 



Parnassius epapahus

Photo © G Waldeck

Afghanistan - Pakistan India, Bhutan, Kashmir, Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet - Singkiang, Kansu, Tshingai, Szechwan

5. Parnassius epaphus (Oberthür, 1879)

Etudes d'Ent. 4:23

English: Common Red Apollo
Synonyms: Parnassius nirius (Moore, 1902); Parnassius jacquemontii (Stichel, 1907); Parnassius epaphus (Talbot, 1939).

Description: Wingspan is 50-60 mm. Its body is stout and very hairy. It is comparatively small species. It can be very variable in markings. Its ground colour is always white. On the forewing the marginal bands are narrow and greyish with a second sub marginal thinner band of grey dots. Hind wing is black on the basal part. There are two red spots in the upper costal and upper discal area of hind wing. A ring of narrow, lunar shaped black spots exists on hind wing . There are two faint red centered anal spots under the hind wing. Antennae are ringed, black and white along the shaft. The female develops a keeled carinate plug after fertilization. Adult visits flowers, settle on rocks in stormy weather and go into rock crevices. Thirty seven subspecies have been described from the world. It was reported by Talbot (1939) from Chitral and Hindukush by Collins & Morris (1985) from Pakistan by Mani (1986) from Northwest Himalya and Chitral by Savela (1999) from Chitral and LRI (1999) from Himalaya foot hills. It was also collected from Skardu.


Parnassius hardwickii

Photo © G Waldeck

N.India, Kasmir, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Pakistan

                                                             

                                                                                                                 
6. Parnassius hardwickii (Gray, 1831)

Zool. Miscell.:32

     English: Common Blue Apollo 

Description: Wingspan is 50-60 mm. It is much more heavily marked with black. Usually on the forewing there are two red centered spots. Upper wing apex is bordered by grey with sub- apical band of black dividing into separate spots along lower wings. On the hind wing there is a large crimson centered spot between vein 7 and 8 and another between vein 4 and 5. In the post discal region there are three or four white centered black circular spots. Underside of wings is glassy. The body is stout. After fertilization a female has a small balloon shaped pouch with a longitidual groove. The adult is fast flier. It flies from 2500 meters to 5000 over grassy meadows to rocky scrubland at the higher elevations. It has been reported by Talbot (1939) and Savela (1999) from Chitral by Collins & Morris (1985). It was now collected from Galiat, Kaghan Valley, Gilgit and Skardu.



Parnassius delphius ssp.

Photo © G Waldeck

Afghanistan, C. Asia, Pakistan, N. India, Kashmir, Tibet, W.China


7.  Parnassius delphius (Eversmann, 1843)

Bull. Soc. Nat. Moscou 16:541

     English: Banded Apollo, Kafir Banded Apollo
Synonyms: Tadumia delphius (Bryk, 1922); Parnassum delphius (Talbot, 1939)
 Larva on Cysticorydalis fedtschenkoana, Corydalis onobrichis

Description: Wingspan is 55-65 mm. The sub marginal and marginal borders of fore wing are glassy grey and there are thick black bands across mid cell and end of the cell. Small black or grey spots in between vein 7 and 8 and between 4-5. Generally there are 2 spots in the anal region of hind wing. In the fertilized female a belt like pouch around the abdomen is formed. Numerous subspecies have been described.

Previously it was reported by Talbot (1939) from North West Himalaya, Karakoram Gilgit, Chitral and Hunza, Baltistan by Collins & Morris (1985) from Northen Pakistan by Mani (1986) from Hindukush and Himalya. It was now collected from Baltistan.

         

           

Parnassius stoliczkanus

Photo © G Waldeck

                   Kashmir

8. Parnassius stoliczkanus (C & R Felder, 1864)

Reise der ... Fregatte Novara (Lep.)

    English: Ladak Banded Apollo
Synonyms: Parnassius delphius (Honrath, 1890); Koramius stoliczkanus (Moor, 1992); Parnassius delphius (Stichel, 1907); Parnassius stoliczkanu (Bang-Haas, 1927)

Description: Wingspan is 50-59 mm. It is variable in size. It is heavily marked with black scaling, but lacks red ocelli. There is a quadra black spot between vein 4 and 5. Sub marginal spots on hind wing are poorly developed. These spots are solid black without any blue centers and degenerate into a dark gray line towards the apex. The discal ocellus has a red centre and lies nearer the marginal border than to the cell. Sub costal ocellus is often absent. The female pouch small with the 2 lobes more truncate. Fly at high altitudes (3500 to 5500 meters) in the Himalayas over rocky and barren landscape. Several subspecies have been described in the world. It has been reported by Tytler from Chitral by Savela (1999) from Hindu Kush and Karakoram. It was now collected from Chitral.


           

Parnassius inopinatus

Photo © G Waldeck

Afghanistan, Pakistan

9. Parnssius inopinatus (Kotzsch, 1940)

Ent. Z. (Frankf. a. M) 54:17

Description: Wingspan is 70-80 mm. Little is known about this species. It is simmilar to P. charltonius but comparatively smaller in size. In female's hind wing the post discal area has large red centered ocellus which is white in male. On hind wing two red centered tornal spots present. The phragis of the female straight, not curved. Two subspecies have been described in the world. It has been reported by Nasir & Ali (1972) from Kurram Agency and by LRI (1999) from Hindukusch.


 


Parnassius jacquemontii

Photo © G Waldeck

Tadzhikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, N.India, Tibet, Sinkiang, Kansu, Szechwan


10. Parnassius jacquemontii (Boisduval, 1836)

Spec. gen. Lep. 1:400

     English: Keeled Apollo

Synonyms: Parnassius acius (Honrath, 1882); Parnassius jacquemontii (Austant, 1899); Parnassius rhodius (Verity, 1906); Parnassius himalayensis (Stichel, 1909); Parnassius jacquemontii (Bryk, 1911);

 Larva on Rhodiola ssp.

Description: Wingspan is 55-70 mm. It has broad vitreous grey marginal bands. There are 2 small sub-apical red centered ocelli and a red centered spot between vein 1b and 2. The hind wing is with 2 large red centered ocelli between vein 7 and 8 and another between vein 4 and 5. A conspicuous post discal ring of black arrow shaped spot points inwards. Upper side of body creamy white. Both wings only slightly irrorated with diffuse black scale. Fore wing with a short bar across middle of the cell. Hind wing with basal and inner area beneath the white hairs densely and broadly irrorated with black scales; the inner edge of this border irregular; rest of the wing with more diffuse black scaling; underside is shiny with more or less glazed appearance. The female after fertilization has small keeled plug. Antennae deep brownish black, rarely with a few white specks on the underside. Twenty five subspecies have been described from the world. It was reported by Leslie and Evans (1903) and Talbot (1939) from Chitral by Collins & Morris (1985).


Parnassius simo

Photo © G Waldeck

Tadzhikistan, Kirghizia, Pakistan, N.India, Tibet, W.China, Mongolia

11. Parnassius simo (Gray, 1853)
Cat. Lep. Ins. Br. Mus. I:76
     English: Blackedged Apollo
Larva probably on Lagotis glabosa, L. decumbens
     Pupa hibernating

Description: Wingspan is 45-55mm. This is a small species; heavily scaled and upper wing surface is black. The apex region of fore wing is pointed with a broad dark area in the post-discal region. One red spot basally exists in the costal region of hind wing. Hind wing is margined with white cilia and fore wing is margined with black cilia. Its antennae are totally black. The female after fertilization has a narrow tubular phragis ending in two points. Over 30 subspecies have been described from the world. Previously it was reported by Talbot (1939) from Hindukush, Gilgit and Baltistan by Sanders (1955) from Barzil pass and Astor by Mani (1986) and Savela (1999) from Hindu Kush and Himalaya. It was also collected from Skardu


 
 

Parnassius staudingeri workmani

Photo © Maxim Markhasiov

Gissar-Darvaz Mts. Baisuntau, Gissar, Zeravshan, Turkestan

12. Parnssius staudingeri(Bang-Haas, 1882)
Staudinger:  Über einige neue Parnassius...Central-Asiens (1882)
Synonyms: Parnassius delphius (Verity, 1911); Parnassius chitralensis (Avinoff, 1916); Tadumia delphius (Bryk, 1922); Parnassius staudingeri (Kreuz, 1985);
 Larva on Cysticorydalis fedtschenkoana, Corydalis onobrychis

Description: Wingspan is 50-55 mm. There is a long, crimson ocelli on the hind wing. The post discal spot extends well into the areas above vein 5. Sub-marginal spots not very well developed. No. tornal dark spots on the upper kind wing. They fly on rocky slopes of moderate to high elevation mountains. Quite variable and numerous subspecies, have been described from the world. It has been reported by Tytler (1926) from Chitral by Savela (1999) from Hindu Kush and Karakoram. It was collected from Baltistan.

   

Parnassius loxias

Photo © G Waldeck

Kirghizia, W.China, Pakistan

13. Parnsssius loxias (Püngeler, 1901)

Dt. ent. Z. Iris 14:178

 Larva on Corydalis krasnovi

Description: Wingspan is 55-70 mm. The upper hind wing with two red ocelli. There is no such ocelli in males. It bears a row of five blue centred marginal black spots on the hind wing. Size of hindwing ocelli is variable. Flies on steep slopes with rocky and steppe vegetation at medium altitudes (3100 to 3800 meters). Poorly known. Two subspecies have been described. It has been collected from Khunjrat and Gilgit.


Parnassius  tianschanicus

Photo © G Waldeck

Tadzhikitan, Kirghizia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China.

14. Parnassius tianschanicus (Oberthür, 1879)

Etudes d'Ent. 4:108

English: Large Keeled Apollo

Larva on Sedum telephium, Rhodiola quadrifida, Rhodiola kirilovii

Synonyms: Parnassius discobolus (Tytler, 1926); Parnassius jacquemonti (Bollow, 1929); Parnassius thianscharica (Evans, 1932); Parnassius tianschanicus (Talbot, 1939)

Description: Wingspan is 70-80 mm. It has bold markings and is handsome in appearance. Its ground colour white to yellowish. Fore wing bears a broad vitreous grey margin with an inner darker looped grey band. The costa and post discal areas are specked with black scales and there is a red centered spot between vein 7 and 8 and between vein 4 and 5. The underside is glassy with greenish dusting around the hind wing margin and a red centered spot on the hind wing underside. The female after fertilization carries a prominent keeled abdominal plug. Eighteen subspecies have been described from the world. Previously it was reported by Talbot (1939) and Savela (1999) from Chitral, by Collins & Morris (1985) and Mani (1986) from Northwest Himalaya. It was now collected from Hunza.


Parnassius stenosemus rileyi

Photo © G. Waldeck

 

India, Pakistan

 

Parnassius stenosemus (Honrath 1890)

            Distribution map of Parnassius stenosemus


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