As part of the LIFEApollo2020 project, several engaging workshops were held across Austrian schools this year to introduce students to the Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo) and its importance in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Through hands-on activities and the creation of a dedicated Apollo garden, students learned about the unique needs of this species and how conservation efforts can protect it.
School Workshops: Interactive learning is fun!
In Spring, the austrian project team, together with butterfly expert Otto Feldner, organized engaging workshops in Austrian schools to introduce students to the captivating life of the Apollo butterfly. Each workshop began with an interactive overview of the Apollo butterfly’s lifecycle, guiding students through each stage from egg to caterpillar, pupa, and finally, the adult butterfly. By exploring the specific needs of the Apollo butterfly at each stage we aimed for students to develop a deeper respect for its lifecycle and understand the importance of habitat preservation. They learned about the butterfly’s reliance on specific feeding plants, with adult butterflies (imagines) depending on nectar sources like pincushion flowers, knapweeds and thistle, while caterpillars (larvae) feed exclusively on Sedum species such as Sedum album, Sedum sexangulare, or Sedum telephium maximum. Without these plants, it wouldn’t be possible to maintain the delicate balance essential for the Apollo butterfly’s survival.
Through lectures and followed up group and individual works, students explored the concept of an “Umbrella species” and how conserving a single species, like Parnassius apollo, can have widespread benefits for its entire ecosystem. An umbrella species is one whose protection indirectly shields many other species within the same habitat. Since the Apollo butterfly has very specific habitat and dietary needs, ensuring that its environment remains intact requires maintaining a rich diversity of native plants, clean soil, minimal human disturbance and polution levels. This, in turn, creates a suitable habitat for countless other organisms that share the same space. This learning experience not only educated students on butterfly conservation but also hopefully deepened their appreciation for the interconnectedness of nature.
The Apollo Garden: Building a conservation space together
In collaboration with students, an Apollo Garden was established at a school in Mittersill, Austria, as part of the LIFEApollo2020 project. This garden serves as a dedicated small-scale habitat for Apollo butterflies and other pollinators, allowing students to actively participate in conservation. Together, they designed and created a vibrant space, carefully planting Sedum species essential for caterpillars, as well as seeds of a variety of nectar-rich flowers like pincushion flowers, thistles, and field scabious, which provide food for adult butterflies. The garden also includes stones and sunlit areas, mimicking the natural rocky habitats that Apollo butterflies prefer.
Students and teachers learned practical gardening techniques to make environments more butterfly-friendly, such as selecting the right plants, ensuring good soil conditions, and creating sheltering spots. Creating the Apollo Garden allowed students to experience how conservation can begin in their own community. They learned that even small gardens can act as “stepping stones” for butterflies and other pollinators, aiding in migration and enhancing local biodiversity.
