Exploring the peaks and valleys: insights from the 2023 Apollo breeding season

Butterfly breeding farms typically aim to contribute to the conservation of endangered species, such as the Apollo butterfly. These farms often involve the careful cultivation of host plants, creating suitable habitats for the butterflies and implementing controlled breeding programs.

Four breeding farms are currently in operation as part of the LIFE Apollo2020 project. Two of them: in Poland (Jagniątków, Sudetes) and in Austria (Saalfelden, Alps) were already operational before the project started. The other two have been established as part of the project’s activities: the farm in Poland (Uniemyśl, Sudetes), and in Czechia (Barchov, Sudetes). As part of the project, it is also planned to run a second breeding farm in Czechia in the White Carpathians.

Breeding success in butterfly farms can be influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions. Cold weather in spring can pose a challenge to the breeding process, as it may affect the development of butterfly eggs, larvae, and pupae. Butterflies are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature is regulated by external conditions. Extreme cold can slow down their metabolic processes and developmental stages, leading to reduced breeding success. On the other hand, excessively high temperatures in the breeding season can lead to increased mortality.

In the new breeding tents, the location had to be tested and solutions relating to sunlight and thermals had to be adapted. However, even in breeding farms that have been in operation for many years, there are still situations that can come as a surprise. The climate is changing, and even in cooler mountainous regions, extremely high temperatures can occur. This past spring, however, surprised us in a different way in the Sudetes. It was rainy, cool, and there were few sunny days.

In some farms, we encountered unexpected problems related to egg and caterpillar mortality, as well as the transitional phase occurring between developmental stages and the mating process of butterflies. Certain issues were attributed to the weather conditions, particularly the excessively rainy and overcast conditions during spring and early summer. This was particularly evident in the breeding site of Uniemyśl in the Sudetes, where the phenology at all stages of the insects’ lives was delayed compared to other breeding farms.

Some of these problems, however, make us reflect on our breeding methods and will force us to make some modifications and adjustments to the breeders themselves as well as the breeding tents. Failures are a natural part of any process. They prompt us to make improvements and to create variants to deal with negative changes in external conditions. To mitigate the impact of weather, butterfly farms may implement measures such as providing sheltered environments, temperature control, and adjusting breeding schedules based on weather forecasts. Additionally, ongoing research and collaboration with experts in entomology and environmental science can contribute to better understanding and addressing the challenges faced by butterfly breeding programs.

To enhance our understanding of the breeding process and the breeding materials used, population genetic studies are conducted on the deceased specimens collected from breeding activities in Poland. Furthermore, investigations are carried out to assess the presence of diseases and parasites. Both low genetic diversity and disease factors can be the cause of a decline in breeding performance, and we need to clarify and find solutions to these issues as well. The presence of several breeders in different parts of Europe allows us to collect a lot of data on what can go wrong while securing breeding material and the possibility of exchange between breeders.

Thanks to our collaboration with breeders, last year we successfully released a total of 1240 individuals at reintroduction sites across 11 different locations in the Polish and Czech regions of the Sudetes and the Austrian Alps.

Author: Anna Bator-Kocoł

The Apollo Butterfly: How Genome Research and Habitat Studies Drive Conservation Efforts

The Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo), a species of conservation concern throughout Europe, is emblematic of the delicate balance between genetic adaptation and environmental stability in alpine and coastal ecosystems. As climate change and habitat degradation increasingly threaten its survival, conservationists are combining genome sequencing and habitat-specific studies to understand the underlying mechanisms that drive its resilience and vulnerabilities. This integrative approach provides a model for targeted conservation strategies that address both genetic and environmental challenges.

Genome Sequencing: Illuminating Adaptive Mechanisms in the Apollo Butterfly

The recent sequencing of the Apollo butterfly’s genome offers profound insights into the evolutionary and adaptive processes that underpin its survival in high-altitude and rocky coastal environments. Genomic analysis reveals gene variants associated with physiological traits that enable the Apollo to cope with temperature extremes, such as enhanced cold tolerance and seasonal metabolic adaptations. These traits are crucial in the butterfly’s current alpine habitats, where climate-induced temperature fluctuations are increasingly common. Identifying these genetic markers allows conservation biologists to model potential impacts of further environmental changes, facilitating more predictive conservation approaches that anticipate gene-environment interactions.

Habitat Shifts Under Climate Change: Implications for Population Viability

Habitat studies have illustrated the significant influence of climate change on the Apollo butterfly’s spatial distribution. Temperature increases drive the species to higher altitudes, where habitat availability diminishes, leading to more fragmented populations and lower genetic diversity. Studies conducted in the Archipelago Sea indicate that Apollo occupancy has decreased even in areas where host plant (Sedum telephium) populations remain stable, suggesting that temperature and precipitation changes impact Apollo survival independently of host plant abundance. These findings underline the importance of maintaining heterogeneous habitats that provide microclimates, which may buffer populations against climatic extremes and mitigate the risks associated with habitat fragmentation.

Anthropogenic Pressures: Fragmentation and Morphological Stress Indicators

Research highlights that habitat fragmentation due to human development, including road construction and tourism, has measurable impacts on the Apollo butterfly’s morphology, such as changes in wing symmetry linked to increased environmental stress. These morphological indicators suggest that habitat disturbance not only constrains population distribution but also reduces individual fitness by disrupting essential behavioural patterns, such as mate-finding and migration. Habitat fragmentation also restricts gene flow, further compromising the species’ adaptive potential. The accumulation of these stressors demonstrates the need for contiguous, protected landscapes that support not only Apollo butterfly populations but also their associated ecological networks.

LIFE Apollo2020: A Genomic and Ecological Approach to Conservation

The LIFE Apollo2020 project integrates genomic insights and habitat data to design conservation interventions that address both the Apollo butterfly’s genetic needs and its specific environmental requirements. Habitat restoration and protection efforts under this project are informed by genetic data that identify populations with lower diversity and potential vulnerability, allowing targeted management practices. By preserving critical habitats and supporting gene flow among populations, LIFE Apollo2020 aims to enhance population viability, reducing the risks posed by genetic bottlenecks and isolated habitats. This project exemplifies a modern conservation approach that leverages genomic research to adapt management practices to the unique characteristics of each population.

Implications for Broader Conservation Models

The combined application of genome mapping and habitat-specific studies in Apollo butterfly conservation sets a precedent for addressing the complexities of biodiversity loss under climate change. Genomic data allows conservationists to pinpoint adaptive genetic traits that are vital for species survival, while habitat studies highlight the immediate ecological pressures threatening these traits. For the Apollo butterfly, this integrative approach ensures that conservation strategies are both proactive and scientifically grounded, providing a comprehensive framework for maintaining resilience in biodiversity hotspots. Protecting this species and its habitat not only preserves a unique component of alpine and coastal ecosystems but also reinforces the broader ecological networks essential to biodiversity stability.

Exploring the peaks and valleys: insights from the 2023 Apollo breeding season

Butterfly breeding farms typically aim to contribute to the conservation of endangered species, such as the Apollo butterfly. These farms often involve the careful cultivation of host plants, creating suitable habitats for the butterflies and implementing controlled breeding programs.

Four breeding farms are currently in operation as part of the LIFE Apollo2020 project. Two of them: in Poland (Jagniątków, Sudetes) and in Austria (Saalfelden, Alps) were already operational before the project started. The other two have been established as part of the project’s activities: the farm in Poland (Uniemyśl, Sudetes), and in Czechia (Barchov, Sudetes). As part of the project, it is also planned to run a second breeding farm in Czechia in the White Carpathians.

Breeding success in butterfly farms can be influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions. Cold weather in spring can pose a challenge to the breeding process, as it may affect the development of butterfly eggs, larvae, and pupae. Butterflies are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature is regulated by external conditions. Extreme cold can slow down their metabolic processes and developmental stages, leading to reduced breeding success. On the other hand, excessively high temperatures in the breeding season can lead to increased mortality.

In the new breeding tents, the location had to be tested and solutions relating to sunlight and thermals had to be adapted. However, even in breeding farms that have been in operation for many years, there are still situations that can come as a surprise. The climate is changing, and even in cooler mountainous regions, extremely high temperatures can occur. This past spring, however, surprised us in a different way in the Sudetes. It was rainy, cool, and there were few sunny days.

In some farms, we encountered unexpected problems related to egg and caterpillar mortality, as well as the transitional phase occurring between developmental stages and the mating process of butterflies. Certain issues were attributed to the weather conditions, particularly the excessively rainy and overcast conditions during spring and early summer. This was particularly evident in the breeding site of Uniemyśl in the Sudetes, where the phenology at all stages of the insects’ lives was delayed compared to other breeding farms.

Some of these problems, however, make us reflect on our breeding methods and will force us to make some modifications and adjustments to the breeders themselves as well as the breeding tents. Failures are a natural part of any process. They prompt us to make improvements and to create variants to deal with negative changes in external conditions. To mitigate the impact of weather, butterfly farms may implement measures such as providing sheltered environments, temperature control, and adjusting breeding schedules based on weather forecasts. Additionally, ongoing research and collaboration with experts in entomology and environmental science can contribute to better understanding and addressing the challenges faced by butterfly breeding programs.

To enhance our understanding of the breeding process and the breeding materials used, population genetic studies are conducted on the deceased specimens collected from breeding activities in Poland. Furthermore, investigations are carried out to assess the presence of diseases and parasites. Both low genetic diversity and disease factors can be the cause of a decline in breeding performance, and we need to clarify and find solutions to these issues as well. The presence of several breeders in different parts of Europe allows us to collect a lot of data on what can go wrong while securing breeding material and the possibility of exchange between breeders.

Thanks to our collaboration with breeders, last year we successfully released a total of 1240 individuals at reintroduction sites across 11 different locations in the Polish and Czech regions of the Sudetes and the Austrian Alps.

Author: Anna Bator-Kocoł

Parnassius apollo history and trophic preferences

Parnassius apollo belongs to a group of butterflies, which presence in Europe has a long history. We need to take a look into the past if we want to get to know the roots of this beautiful species. We would have to travel back to the time period called the Neogene.

The Neogene is a geological period, which informally is divided into either the Upper Tertiary or Late Tertiary. This period lasted from 20.6 to 2.6 million years ago, to the beginning of the present Quaternary Period. The Quaternary Period spans from the Neogene to today. 

More on the topic: Apollo in winter

Glacial and interglacial periods 

During the long period of the Neogene, the land was heavily glaciated. Glaciers appeared and retreated several times. Those periods when glaciers retreated are known as interglacial episodes. 

These periods of warm climate provided an opportunity for the animal and plant life to develop, to later be swept away by the glacier and then develop again and again. This process heavily impacted butterflies, including Parnassius apollo

Diversity of life

Research revealed that during these long periods of interglacial episodes, despite the fact that all life was swept out by huge glaciers, it repeatedly revived. This created remarkable diversity again and again. The result of this process was the enormous diversification of life.

For example, Parnassius apollo developed into more than 200 identified subspecies, which mainly inhabit grassland environments in the lowland and mountainous areas throughout Europe. 

Sedum plant provides food for many species of butterflies, including Parnassius species

Parnassius apollo trophic preferences

Food is a vitally important precondition for the favourable status of Parnassius species. According to trophic preferences, two main groups of Parnassius developed. One group that prefers Sedum telephium, and another that feed mainly on Sedum album.

Sedum is a large genus of flowering perennial plants. Sedum species are herbs and have fleshy leaves and stems, which store water very well. This group of plants contains up to 400–500 species. Even today, Sedum provides food to many species of butterflies, including Parnassius species.

Conclusion

For the protection of the individual species or the entire Parnassius genus of butterflies, it is important to know what their key habitats and food needs are. This knowledge could help us identify what kind of ecosystems and biomes have been removed due to human activity and why food is not available for these butterfly species. In the following steps, activities during the restoration process should focus on recovering these extinct biomes.

The Parnassius apollo, commonly known as the Apollo butterfly, needs a very specific diet requirement for its survival and reproduction. Its larvae rely solely on specific Sedum plant species. This specialized diet is crucial for the survival and development of the Apollo butterfly throughout its life cycle. This dependence on particular plants underscores the delicate ecological relationships and the importance of preserving the habitats that support these unique species.

Vlado Vancura
European Wilderness Society

#followapollo and the efforts of our team! Combined skills in breeding, conservation of habitats, research, environmental education, and project management constitute a great combination for the success of our LIFE project

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