(Linnaeus, 1758)
Clouded Apollo
Description:
The Clouded Apollo occurs in mountainous regions on damp to moderately dry grassland, usually with woodland or scrub in the neighbourhood. The butterflies can often be seen visiting red or purple flowers for the nectar they need.
The food plant is Corydalis, that at the time of egg laying is not yet above ground. The eggs are laid on its dried stems, on grass blades, or on other plants not too far from the food plants. The egg hibernates. In the spring, as soon as it has released itself from the egg, the small caterpillar starts its search for a suitable food plant. When fully-grown, it pupates in a closely spun cocoon of fine threads, situated above the ground in the leaves of the food plant.
The Clouded Apollo has one generation a year.
Habitat:
Alpine grasslands
Mesophile grasslands
Humid grasslands
Deciduous forests
Similar species:
Aporia crataegi