Parnassius mnemosyne (Linnaeus, 1758)  
Clouded Apollo, Schwarze Apollo, Semi-Apollon, Мнемозина, Մնեմոզինա. 

Distribution and biological peculiarities in Armenia: 
The species is widely distributed in Europe and to the east to Central Asia. Host plants are various Corydalis species. Armenia is inhabited by subspecies rjabovi Sheljuzhko, 1935. In Armenia the species is patchy distributed in entire country, demonstrating preferences towards deciduous forests and wet sub-alpine meadows. The elevation range occupied by the species is from 1800 to 2500 m a.s.l. Flight period begins in mid May and lasts until mid July (sometimes to the end of July) in single generation.

Population dynamics:
The abundance of the species in the typical woodland habitat is moderate, while in wet meadows it tends to be lower. Population trend during 2003-2013 shows moderate decline (p<0.01). The human activities in the areas of species distribution are outrun type of livestock farming, and forest logging. The livestock can directly or indirectly influence the density of host plants of the species, while the influence of logging is not such simple. From one side selective tree cutting opens a space in a forest allowing herbs to grow. However from another side intensification of logging combined with clear cutting can influence the temperature and humidity regime of particular area of the forest, potentially causing soil degradation, development of parasitic fauna, etc. The species is involved in some wildlife trade in a smaller scale and according to current information, at current it hardly can be considered more serious threat for the population than the habitat degradation.

Conservation measures: 
The species is not yet evaluated for IUCN Red List, however it is included in European Red List as Near Threatened, and in the Red Book of Animals of Armenia as Vulnerable. Also the species is not yet included in CITES but included in the Appendix II of Bern Convention. At current, part of its distribution range is covered by Zangezur Biosphere Complex, Khosrov Forest Nature Reserve, Dilijan National Park, Lake Arpi National park and some other Protected Areas. Also the distribution range of the species is covered by number of PBAs: Gyumorats, Gudemnis, Lichk, Gnishik, and Kajaran.  Part of the distribution range is included in current Emerald Network, and some other areas will be included in proposed Emerald Sites. It is however important to develop steps for protection of the species populations at Tsaghkounyats and Pambak Mountains. Another important efforts should be directed towards increase of sustainability of forestry and livestock husbandry practices in Armenia. Further development of the network of Prime Butterfly Areas, and the butterfly-watching in PBAs can increase income for rural communities and indirectly support in increase of sustainability of forest and meadow ecosystems. Eventually continuous monitoring of the species can help in better understanding of the population trends and evaluation of efficiency of conservation efforts.

Photo: K. Aghababyan

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