Stonecrop for the Apollo – Targeted Sedum Planting in Lofer
As part of the EU-LIFE project Apollo2020, extensive planting of Sedum species was carried out in Lofer during spring 2025 to support the endangered Parnassius apollo loferensis. The caterpillars of this rare alpine butterfly depend entirely on certain stonecrop plants (Sedum spp.) as their only food source.
To ensure sufficient larval nutrition across the habitat, planting was carried out on approximately 20 hectares at five key breeding sites. Three Sedum species were used:
- Sedum album (white stonecrop)
- Sedum sexangulare (tasteless stonecrop)
- Sedum telephium (orpine)
Planting timeline:
- 15 February 2025 – First sowing of Sedum telephium seeds
- 8 March 2025 – Main planting: approx. 700 young Sedum plants distributed over the full area
- Sedum album (500), S. sexangulare (150), S. telephium (50)
- 8 April 2025 – Additional 100 plants set
- S. album (70), S. sexangulare (20), S. telephium (10)
- 17 April 2025 – Final spring planting: 60 plants
- S. album (40), S. sexangulare (20)
By May, monitoring showed high levels of caterpillar activity—so intense that nearly all planted Sedum had been consumed. Further replanting is already planned for autumn 2025 to sustain the next generation of Apollo butterflies in 2026.
This habitat management effort is a vital contribution to the survival of one of Austria’s most iconic mountain butterfly species.
