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iParnassius
Image:Parnassius pheobus.jpg Parnassius phoebus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Family: Papilionidae Subfamily: Parnassiinae Genus: Parnassius
Species
Parnassius acco Parnassius acdestis Parnassius actius Parnassius apollo Parnassius charltonius Parnassius delphius Parnassius epaphus Parnassius hardwickii Parnassius hunnyngtoni Parnassius hunza Parnassius imperator Parnassius jacquemontii Parnassius maharaja Parnassius mnemosyne Parnassius simo Parnassius stoliczkanus Parnassius tianschianicus ...

Parnassius is a genus of alpine butterflies usually known as Apollos. They can vary in colour and form significantly based on their altitude. They also show an adaptation to high altitudes called altitudinal melanism. They show dark bodies and darkened colouration at the wingbase which helps them warm faster using the sun.

Although classified under the Swallowtail butterfly family, none of the Parnassius species possess tails.

The larvae feed on species of plants belonging to the Papaveraceae and Crassulaceae families.<ref>Katoh T, Chichvarkhin A, Yagi T,Omoto K. 2005 Phylogeny and evolution of butterflies of the genus Parnassius: inferences from mitochondrial 16S and ND1 sequences. Zoolog Sci.22(3):343-51 PDF</ref>

[edit] Classification

The Parnassius genus of butterflies are often hard to identify and can sometimes only be identified by dissection of the genitalia. The phylogeny of the group is still under study using molecular techniques.

[edit] References

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[edit] External link

• Tree of Life