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Apollo - Parnassius apollo


Apollo - Parnassius apollo
Photo Information
Copyright: Harm Alberts (Harm-digitaal) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 108 W: 7 N: 1846] (7021)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-08-05
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 40 D, Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Macro
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): European Butterflies 8 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-12-17 6:19
Viewed: 692
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [Dutch]
Parnassius apollo / Apollo / Apollovlinder / Apollofalter / L’Apollon.

The Apollo or Mountain Apollo (Parnassius apollo), is a butterfly of the Papilionidae family. It is found on mountains in Europe usually above 1000m up to 2000m, preferring flowery meadows and mountain pastures. This species is of interest to entomologists due to the variety of subspecies, often only restricted to a specific valley in the alps. Related species can be found all over the world. The caterpillar's favorite food plant is Stonecrop (Sedum).

In Finland Apollo was one of the first species of insects declared endangered. The Apollo population in Finland and Sweden decreased drastically during the 1950's. The reason for this is not known, but it is commonly thought to be because of a disease. In Sweden it is since restricted to areas that have limestone in the ground, suggesting that the decrease could hypothetically be related to acid rain.[1]

The Apollo also known as the "great eye" is on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals, in Appendix II in CITES and is mentioned in annex IV of Habitats Directive. It is protected in other states: the Principality of Liechtenstein, Czech Republic (as critically threatened species in Czech code, Decree for implementation, No. 395/1992 Sb. (and No. 175/2006 Sb.)), Poland.

One of the loveliest species of butterfly in the Alps, it is white with two red, black-edged "eye marks" on its wings. The Small Appollo (Parnassius phoebus) is found in the high mountains while the Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne) lives in the valleys. The Apollo caterpillar lives on woodlark Spur and rock plants and is a velvety blue-black with small orange spots.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_(butterfly)

harm
valy67, hansh, ferranjlloret, peter_stoeckl has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Harm, fascinating butterfly with fine details and splendid sharpness, grerat colors, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hello Harm !
Such a wonderful butterfly, I like the transparent rim on the wings, it's strange, I have never seen a butterfly such as this one. Excellent sharpness and details, nice natural colors, wonderful composition and POV, great pose of the butterfly, with wings wie open, so we can fully admire his wings. Very well done !
Valerie.

Hi Harm,
Very beautiful Apollo to see and admire. Pity the surroundings are bit busy otherwise its excellent. tfs.
nagraj.v

hello Harm

they are so many beautiful butterflies in your galerie and this one is also splendid with his wings wide open. Good POV and colors

Jacqueline

Hi Harm,
whenever I stay on Monte-Baldo Lake Garda I look to see this beauty - but never saw a single one. Only this guy without the red spots - it's more rare as I know - but this one is much more beautiful.
Excellent shot of this white fairy, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • hansh Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 214 W: 1 N: 156] (634)
  • [2008-12-17 10:50]

Dag Harm.

Mooie foto van de apollovlinder. Je bent dit jaar een hele aardige database van vlinder en motten aan het aanleggen, volgens mij kun je onderhand zelf een boekje daarover uitbrengen.
Complimenten.

Gr. Hans

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2398 W: 94 N: 5543] (17640)
  • [2008-12-17 10:52]

Hallo Harm,
Wat een schitterende foto van een schitterende vlinder. Nog nooit gezien. En ik neem aan, gezien de plaats waar je hem gefotografeerd hebt, dat dit in het wild was. De tekening op de vleugels is prachtig. Erg goede scherpte.
Groet,
Peter

Hi Harm,
excellent picture of this Parnassius apollo.
Regards.

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