Parnassius tianschanicus, the large keeled Apollo, is a high-altitude butterfly. It is a member of the snow Apollo genus (Parnassius) of the swallowtail family, Papilionidae.
Range It is found in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Afghanistan, Pakistan, south-western China and Xinjiang, and reported from northern India (Jammu and Kashmir) by some authors by mistake.
Status Locally very common but generally a rare butterfly. It is declining due to changes in its habitat and is thus considered to be vulnerable. More information is needed on this species.
See also Papilionidae List of butterflies of India List of butterflies of India (Papilionidae)
References
Sakai S., Inaoka S., Toshiaki A., Yamaguchi S., Watanabe Y., (2002) The Parnassiology. The Parnassius Butterflies, A Study in Evolution, Kodansha, Japan. Weiss J.-C., (2005) Parnassiinae of the World - Part 4, Hillside Books, Canterbury, UK.
External links Goran Waldeck's Parnassius Site (includes tianschanicus photo and map)