Clouded Apollo

The clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne) is a butterfly species of the family of swallowtail butterflies (Papilionidae) found in the Palearctic realm. It is a large butterfly which inhabits meadows and deciduous woodland clearings with plenty of flowering plants, but cannot survive in denser forest. It is found both in the lowlands and in the mountains but not usually found at altitudes above 1,500 m (4,900 ft) except in the Central Asian mountains where it is also known from higher altitudes.