A Network for the Apollo – Stepping-Stone Habitats Identified in the Saalachtal

July 29, 2025 Max A E Rossberg

During recent field visits in 2025, experts identified a mosaic of confirmed Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo) sites across the Pinzgauer Saalachtal, forming a valuable stepping-stone network that connects populations between Lofer and Saalfelden.

At the heart of this network lies the main breeding site in Lofer, located at the foot of the Lärchberghörndl (620 m), home to the endemic subspecies P. apollo ssp. loferensis. Surrounding this core are over a dozen active or restored habitats—ranging from alpine slopes to rocky south-facing hillsides—where Apollo butterflies have either persisted or been successfully reestablished.

Among these, the Stoissengraben near Saalfelden plays a key role. Once heavily overgrown, this site was restored through multiple shrub-clearing campaigns (including in April 2025), along with planting of Sedum species and targeted releases of butterfly larvae. The Stoissengraben now functions as a crucial low-elevation corridor between core and satellite populations.

The following stepping-stone sites are part of the confirmed Apollo network:

A Waidringer Joch (1400–1490 m), (P.a. ssp. loferensis) an der Grenze Saalachtal, Strubtal, Apollo existent, seit vielen Jahren bekannt.
B Pass Strub (690–800 m), (P.a. ssp. loferensis) an der Grenze zu Nordtirol/Waidring, Apollo existent, seit vielen Jahren bekannt
C Grubhörndl (1400–1500 m), (P.a. ssp. loferensis) oberhalb der Ortschaft Lofer, Apollo existent, seit vielen Jahren bekannt
D Loferer Hochtal (1480–1590 m), The P. a. ssp. loferensis has been known there for many years. It occurs in the Loferer Hochtal valley, in the scree slopes at the foot of the Nebelhorn.
E Gerhardstein / Weißbach (670–800 m), Near Gerhardstein and Weißbach (670–800 m), a female Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo ssp. bartholomaeus) was spotted on 16 June 2025, approximately 3.5 km from the village of Weißbach.
F Weißbach / Weberbauer (650–700 m), The P. a. ssp. bartholomaeus can be found directly above the village of Weißbach near Lofer on the rocky southern slopes at an altitude of 650–700 m. The Apollo had been lost since 1985 due to scrub encroachment, but was reintroduced in 2015 and has been seen every year since then.
G Weißbach / Pürzelbach (950–1200 m), The distribution area of P. a. ssp. bartholomaeus lies in the municipality of Weißbach near Lofer, on the rocky southern slopes at the foot of the Hochkranz, near the Kallbrunnalmen. After two brush clearing operations by the Bavarian Forestry Commission, the Apollo is once again well represented.
H Diesbach / Grammler (620–790 m), The P. a. ssp. bartholomaeus has been found for a long time in the Grammler district of the municipality of Weißbach near Lofer. It lives on the rocky southern slopes of the Grammler (620–790 m). In 2016, a scrub clearance operation was carried out.
I Stoßwand (Weißbach/Saalfelden) (630–800 m), The rock face (Weißbach/Saalfelden) lies at an altitude of 630 to 800 metres. The subspecies P. a. ssp. bartholomaeus lives here. Half of the habitat belongs to the village of Weißbach near Lofer, while the eastern part belongs to the municipality of Saalfelden. The Apollo has been found on the rocky southern slopes since 1990. The construction of an avalanche barrier enabled the Apollo to resettle in this newly vacated, steep area of about 20 hectares. Since then, it has been found there more and more frequently every year.
J Rauchkopf (Weißbach/Saalfelden) (1490–1690 m), The Rauchkopf (Weißbach/Saalfelden) lies at an altitude of 1,490 to 1,690 metres. The subspecies P.a. ssp. bartholomaeus lives in the village of Weißbach near Lofer, in the uppermost scree slopes at altitudes of up to 1690 metres. Its habitat comprises a plateau with Sedum album and nectar plants, located just below the summit.
K Stoissengraben I (Saalfelden) (680–790 m), The Stoissengraben I (Saalfelden) lies at an altitude of 680–790 metres and is home to P.a. ssp. bartholomaeus. The area is located in the municipality of Saalfelden and stretches along the Puchweiß stream on the left-hand side. The rocky area is heavily overgrown and urgently needs to be cleared. (2010–2011, first cleared) The Apollo butterfly has been missing since 1980, but was successfully reintroduced in 2010.
L Stoissengraben II / Buchweißbach (Saalfelden) (690–850 m), The Stoissengraben II / Buchweißbach (Saalfelden) lies at an altitude of 690–850 metres and is part of the municipality of Saalfelden. It is located directly along the Buchweißbach stream on the left-hand side. After the waterfall at the foot of the Bärenkopf, there is a rocky area where the Apollo butterfly is well known.

All sites host either P. a. loferensis or P. a. bartholomaeus, and together they form a resilient spatial network that strengthens the long-term survival of Apollo populations in the region. Continued habitat management—including shrub removal, Sedum planting, and targeted monitoring—remains essential to keep this network functional.

Lofer is not an isolated stronghold—it’s the ecological hub of a much larger, connected landscape. The stepping stones give the Apollo butterfly room to move, adapt, and thrive.