Changes in the distribution of Clouded Apollo Parnassius mnemosyne (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) in Estonia

Abstract

Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne) has been occupying three separate areas in Estonia and has increased its abundance and population area remarkably during the last 30 years. Since the butterfly was first identified in the northeast (1878) and southeast (1984) of Estonia, the species has expanded its distribution with overall expansion distances of approximately 135 and 100 km, respectively. In western Estonia, the butterfly was found locally on the island of Saaremaa in 1922-1973. Today, the butterfly is most likely extinct there. The occupational trend of the species in Estonia is not in accordance with its general trend in Europe, where it has shown a continuous decline. We suggest that in Estonia there is a suitable landscape structure with the presence of suitable landscape elements and still enough semi-natural grasslands that are suitable habitats for the butterfly even despite the fact that the traditional extensive agricultural practice in general is decreasing in Estonia. © Entomologica Fennica. 8 October 2013.