Apollo Butterfly

Posted Date: 15-Jan-2010		Category: Miscellaneous
Author: Mala Ravi	Member Level: Gold
Rating:	Points: 12

It is one of the family of butterflies known as Swallowtails, not unlike them in shape, but lacking tail-like appendages on the hind wing which gave the family its name. The Apollo and its relatives are not brightly colored, most of them being white, with spots and eye-like markings of black and red. They are, nevertheless, elegant and beautiful.

Water is it found?

The common Apollo is founding mountainous regions of Europe, from Scandinavia to the Alps and Pyrencees. It flies at fairly low altitudes. However, its related species, alpine apolo, occurs at higher altitudes. About 30 species of apolo butterflies are known, ranging through Europe and Asia to North America. Many are mountain butterflies and some species range up to 20,000 ft in the Himalayas. Owing to their inaccessible habitat, some of the Central Asiatic species are extremely rare and highly prized by collectors.

Life History

The caterpillar of the common Apollo feeds on orpine, a kind of stonecrop. The caterpillar is black with red spots and when fully grown, spins a cocoon in which to pupate. Growth is slow and it takes two years to complete the life history. Its unusual habit of spinning, common to all species and is correlated with the need for protection from frost at high altitudes.

Only the common Apollo habitually flies at low altitudes. Its bodily structures as a whole may serve as an alpine kit. Its body has a hairy surface. Its dark in colour, which may help to absorb heat from the sun. Its white wings with black spots are proportionately larger than in other butterflies. So exposing a greater surface to the sun’s rays. They also assist in its unusual soaring habit. Its translucent scales assist the absorption of sun’s heat.

The myth around its name

Apollo butterflies are seen in the Alps soaring above hillsides. Soaring flight, common among birds is rare among insects. Apollo was a Greek god of the mountains and the vegetation and alter the Sun God. All this makes the choice of name for these butterflies. The gold like character is however, marred by a North American species, Parnassis autocrator. Its caterpillar, brilliant orange in colour, gives off most unpleasant odour from just behind its head whenever danger threatens. However all Apollo larve have an organ behind the head that gives off an odour, but this is usually faint and at any rate not unpleasant to the human race.

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