Range:
This species ranges from the western coast of British Columbia south through
the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. It extends south into California and east
to western Montana and Wyoming and northern Utah. In Idaho,
it is found throughout much of the state.
Habitat:
It can be found in open woodlands, alpine meadows, forest
edges, and in moist forests.
Diet:
Caterpillar:
Caterpillars feed at night on species of the bleeding-heart family (Fumariaceae,
Dicentra spp.).
Adult:
Butterflies drink flower nectar.
Ecology:
There is one generation of caterpillars each summer. Butterflies
have two tiny hooks on the surface of the forewing which provide assistance
when emerging from the silk cocoon. Eggs overwinter and the caterpillars emerge
in the spring. At high elevations, the caterpillars may overwinter as well,
thus requiring two years to fully develop. Adults generally fly
from May through July. Butterflies exhibit a strong, high flight pattern. Only
three species of Parnassians occur in North America, two of which occur in Idaho.
Reproduction:
Males actively patrol
in search of receptive females. After mating, the male attaches a waxy secretion
(the sphragis) to the tip of the female’s abdomen, to prevent her from
mating again. Females lay eggs on or near host plants.
Conservation:
Idaho Status: | Unprotected nongame species. |
Global Rank: | G5; populations are widespread, abundant, and secure. |
Opler, P. A., H. Pavulaan, and R. E. Stanford. 1995. Butterflies of North America. Jamestown, North Dakota, USA: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Home Page. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/bflyusa.htm (Version 05Nov98).
Opler, P. A. and A. B.Wright. 1999. A Field Guide to the Western Butterflies. Second Edition. Peterson Field Guide Series. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, New York, USA, 540 pp.
Pyle, R. M. 1981. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, New York, USA, 924 pp.
Scott, J. A. 1986. The Butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California, USA, 583 pp.
Stanford, R. E. and P. A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of Western U.S.A. Butterflies (Including Adjacent Parts of Canada and Mexico). Published by authors, Denver, Colorado, USA, 275 pp.