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Dusted Apollo (Parnassius stenosemus), a rare high-altitude butterfly.
It has been sighted and photographed for the first time in Himachal Pradesh, indicating the flourishing diversity of Apollo butterflies in the region, bringing cheers to butterfly enthusiasts.
The butterfly was sighted and photographed in September 2023, during a trek to Manimahesh Lake in Chamba by Gajinder Verma and Abinash Thakur.
The species was discovered in 1890.
The distribution range of Dusted Apollo extends from Ladakh to west Nepal and it flies between 3,500 to 4,800 metres in the inner Himalayas.
Dusted Apollo is extremely rare and has never been photographed before in Himachal Pradesh.
What is Dusted Apollo - Basic details
Distribution: Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, West Nepal
Habitat: High-altitude meadows and grasslands, typically between 3,500 to 4,800 meters
Wingspan: 45-60 mm
Appearance:
Upperwings: Black with white markings, including a prominent discal band that extends across the entire wing.
Underwings: Black with a row of orange spots along the hind margin.
Body: Black and hairy.
Diet: Caterpillars feed on the leaves of various Parnassia species, known as snowbells. Adults nectar on a variety of flowering plants.
Conservation status: Near Threatened due to habitat loss and climate change.
Interesting facts:
The Dusted Apollo was first discovered in 1890.
It is one of the most beautiful Apollo butterflies.
They are fragmented and often isolated.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect its habitat.
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