Gardens for Apollo: Something for Butterflies, Caterpillars, and People

One of the key activities of the Apollo 2020 project, “Conservation of Parnassius apollo in Poland, Czechia, and Austria,” is creating habitats for butterflies and offering educational activities. This led to the idea of establishing Gardens for Apollo. These gardens are special spaces where we plant nectar-rich flowers for butterflies and host plants for Apollo caterpillars.

Each garden is built with the direct involvement of local site hosts, guided by our experts. Before any planting begins, we organize educational talks and workshops for both adults and children. Some gardens, especially smaller ones, focus more on education. For instance, school gardens highlight how changing garden management can attract pollinators. These small spaces also create conditions that support the growth of Parnassius apollo populations as individuals reintroduced nearby spread into these gardens.

Meanwhile, some larger Gardens for Apollo are designed as habitats where future butterfly reintroductions are planned. All of these gardens are located within the project’s activity area, known as the Land of the Apollo. This region is becoming known for not only its natural connection to the species but also its cultural significance, thanks to the project’s efforts.

This year, we’ve created four new Gardens for Apollo and revisited one established in 2023. Our garden season began in April with a visit to the Arts and Crafts School Complex in Jelenia Góra. Despite late sowing in June, we were pleased to find that the plants had germinated and spread. Together with the students, we sowed more seeds and installed a sign with information about the garden and the project. We hope the meadow continues to grow and becomes a feeding ground for many pollinators.

In May, we planted two Gardens for Apollo near the Ecocentre in Uniemyśl. At the Tatra Glamp camping site in Okrzeszyn, we talked about the Apollo butterfly and its habitat, and introduced our citizen science campaign, “Where is the Big White Butterfly?”. With the help of campsite guests and local residents, we prepared the ground, planted Sedum, and sowed seeds of meadow plants. We’re excited to continue working with them to expand nature education in the area.

Later in May, we participated in the annual Upper Lusatian Houses Open Day, where we organized a fair of local handicrafts and products. Alongside the visitors, we planted another Garden for Apollo at a small market near the local inn.

In between these activities, we also visited Primary School No. 1 in Kamienna Góra. The students there helped us create a Sedum “roundabout,” designed to gradually transform the school lawn into a flowering meadow. Working with these energetic children was both fun and productive!

Our biggest challenge came with the Garden for Apollo at the Parada Three Cultures House in Niedamirów. The venue’s beautiful setting and supportive atmosphere made it a fantastic event. Together with the team from the Karkonosze National Park, we held a family-friendly festival that included lectures, workshops, and, of course, gardening. We planted 10 acres of butterfly-friendly plants, and in the autumn, we’ll create a habitat using limestone aggregate and more Sedum. We’ll always remember that day and the inspiring conversations we had with participants. Next year, we hope the Apollo butterfly will visit Niedamirów and enjoy the garden as much as we did!

Looking ahead, we’re already brainstorming ideas for next year’s Gardens for Apollo. If you’re active or live in the Western Sudeten region and would like to start a garden with us, we’d love to hear from you!

New home for the Apollo in Krkonoše mountains

In June, the Krkonoše Mountains briefly became home to the very rare Apollo butterfly. This butterfly is a relic from the Ice Age, and its natural habitat consists of sunlit mountain rocks with an abundance of flowering plants. It disappeared from Czech nature nearly a century ago due to the loss of its natural environment. Now, the Apollo butterfly faces an imminent threat even in our neighboring countries: in the Slovak and Polish Carpathians or the Austrian Alps. Their decline is also accelerated by climate change, as it’s simply getting too warm for them.

Our nature conservationists are trying to reverse this population decline by preserving its original habitats, but they are also working to create new, backup environments. Such a place has now been established in the Krkonoše Mountains. Since August 2022, intensive work has been done to clear the rocks, which will serve as a substitute habitat for these iconic butterflies. Soon after, the area saw the appearance of many flowering plants, and with them, butterflies such as the critically endangered small blue butterfly in Krkonoše, the swallowtail, the purple emperor, and numerous ringlets.

It was time to let the site be tested by its future residents. For this purpose, a total of 100 males from a rescue breeding program were released, having already fulfilled their reproductive role, to live out their days here. Why only males, you might ask? Once each male fertilizes a female, he no longer has any purpose in breeding, whereas the females still need to lay eggs for the next generation and are essential for maintaining the population. If the release didn’t succeed, we wouldn’t be left with anything if we had released the entire population. The butterflies were numbered with a marker before release, both for monitoring purposes and to diminish their value to potential collectors.

Our method of releasing only males was met with skepticism shortly after being publicized. There were speculations that the males would search for females and leave the site, skewing our results. Today, we have processed data from repeated expert monitoring, and we can confirm that these theories did not hold true. Even in nature, male butterflies naturally hatch a few days earlier than females and must wait for them. The males behaved entirely normally on the site throughout the three weeks of regular monitoring, with no observed “flights” away from the site, and they remained quite vital for a long time.

The butterflies exhibited their typical behavior, including active patrolling, territorial battles with other males, and most importantly, spreading out across the site and evenly occupying the entire area with frequent contact among each other. This is crucial for them because, as has been observed in practice many times, this phenomenon leads to a stronger attachment of the butterflies to the site. In human terms, their logic says, “There are a lot of other butterflies here, so there must be more females too, and I like that.” Of course, in this case, we tricked the poor males a bit. However, the positive monitoring results indicate that the Apollos didn’t catch on to our ruse.

In summary, the monitoring showed absolutely great results, so we can consider the management part of the project focused on the adults to be successful (though not yet complete!). However, this is not the end of the story, as there still needs to be enough space provided for the Apollo butterflies’ host plants. This is another reason why we haven’t yet released the butterflies in full; everything must be perfect for this demanding butterfly to thrive in the Krkonoše Mountains.

The effect of climate change on the Apollo butterfly

Written by Maureen Nieuwschepen

This article is the second in a two-part, scientifically-based series on Parnassius apollo.

Worldwide climate change effects – changing weather patterns and shifting temperature ranges

Climate change, caused by increased levels of greenhouse gasses, is leading to changing weather patterns and an increase in extreme weather events worldwide (Scott, 2016), with an increase in daily temperature and precipitation extremes especially. For example, there has been an increase in daily record-high temperatures in Europe compared to daily record-low temperatures and this ratio is projected to increase in the future (Ummenhofer & Meehl, 2017). As air temperature increases, air water holding capacity will also change, influencing precipitation patterns. Heavy rainfall events and the duration of dry periods are increasing and are expected to increase in intensity in the future (Scott, 2016), thereby negatively affecting terrestrial ecosystem production across biomes (Zhang et al., 2013). Other climate change effects significantly impacting terrestrial ecosystems are, for example, increased numbers of heat waves and wildfires (Ummenhofer & Meehl, 2017).

For Europe specifically, climate change has led to an earlier onset of summer, with a change of ~10 days between 1960 and 2000 (Cassou & Cattiaux, 2016). The projected effects of climate change on terrestrial Europe are looking grim. Not only is Europe subjected to worldwide trends in climate change-induced weather effects, such as increases in precipitation extremes and severity of droughts, but Europe also faces unique challenges according to climate prediction models (Carvalho et al., 2021).  Mean temperatures have increased almost double compared to the global average rate (Harris et al., 2014). This trend is predicted to persist in the future, with the highest relative temperature increase in Iberia, the Mediterranean, the Alps, Scandinavia, and Eastern and Northern Europe (IPCC, 2018). 

Climate change effects specifically for central Europe and P. apollo habitats 

Parnassius apollo (Linnaeus, 1758) habitats are mainly located in central European highlands. Climate change disproportionately affects mountainous areas, with more severe temperature rises than other ecosystems (Nogués-Bravo et al., 2007). Also, mountains are unique in their gradient of microhabitats along an altitudinal scale, which makes them harder to place into generalizable patterns. An upward shift in the distribution of plant and animal species has already been detected in European mountain areas (Lenoir et al., 2008), as temperatures are generally lower at higher altitudes. For plants, it is already established that the projected habitat loss is more significant for species found at higher elevations. 36-55% of alpine species, 31-51% of subalpine species, and 19-46% of montane species can lose over 80% of their suitable habitat by 2070-2100 (Engler et al., 2011). 

Effect on P. apollo

Temperature increases

As P. apollo habitats are situated in mountain areas, they have been and are subjected to climate change to a severe extent. Firstly, increasing temperatures drive butterflies northwards. During the last few decades, P. apollo retracted northwards along both the northern and southern boundaries of its range (Parmesan et al., 1999).  Another response to the rising temperatures might be the earlier onset of larval hatching. 

In the French Brançon region of the Alps, populations exhibited earlier larval hatching, along with a one-month shift in the emergence of flying adults in biotopes above 1900 a.s.l. (Descimon et al., 2005).

Weather anomalies

Weather anomalies caused by climate change might have catastrophic effects on P. apollo populations. Several events have been documented that caused big declines in population sizes or caused bottlenecks. The events have been documented before the year 2000 but do show the vulnerability of Apollo populations to weather anomalies.

In the Pieniny mountains in 1957, following an early and warm spring, a prolonged period of cold and rainy weather accompanied by snowfall in July caused a bottleneck for the regional P. apollo populations (Żukowski 1959). As males emerge from pupae earlier than females, those emerging in June could not mate due to the absence of females. Subsequently, when females did appear after the cold weather, only a limited number were fertilized as only a few males survived. 

A ‘false spring’ event in winter, i.e., a warm period followed by a return of the cold, in the late 1980s caused the decline of P. apollo populations in the southern part of the Central Massif in France (Descimon et al., 2005). A repetition of the event ten years later caused the complete extinction of these populations.

P. apollo larvae are adapted to low ambient temperatures, including temperatures below 0°C. The dark pigmentation of their cuticle enables rapid warming in sunlight for feeding. This trait is considered crucial in mountain habitats, where the maximum daily temperature rarely exceeds 15°C during the larval development stage (Richarz et al., 1989). However, larvae are highly susceptible to humidity. On cold and rainy days, larvae stop feeding and significantly reduce their locomotion. Consequently, extended periods of heavy rainfall, especially when combined with low ambient temperatures, decrease larval development and increase mortality rates (Descimon et al., 2005). However, temperatures above 40°C may also significantly increase larval mortality rates as they become more prone to developing opportunistic diseases, i.e., infections (Descimon et al., 2005). 

Natural forest expansion

Across Europe, forests are common climax ecosystems, especially in the central and northern regions of the continent. The progression of forest succession significantly challenges P. apollo populations, leading to the fragmentation of habitats and reducing the food plant availability for both larvae and adults (Nakonieczny et al., 2007). So far, this process has mostly affected lowland areas. Consequently, natural succession of forests has been mostly threatening ‘telephiophagous’ forms, i.e., feeding on S. telephium, of P. apollo, rather than the forms feeding on S. album.

However, the alpine grasslands above the treeline inhabited by P. apollo are also severely threatened by climate change due to upward forest expansion driven by increasing temperatures (Hülber et al., 2020).  This means that the albophagous forms are also threatened, especially when taking the predictions for temperature increase at higher altitude into consideration.

Conclusion

 Climate change affects both P. apollo populations, the availability of host plants for caterpillars and habitat persistence. Small and isolated populations are more susceptible to extreme weather conditions, which can lead to a bottleneck effect or complete extinction of the local population. Efficient conservation strategies are essential for the survival of the species, and will enhance habitat conditions for other species thriving in similar environments.  Projects like LIFE Apollo2020 are crucial in developing and implementing these strategies, playing a vital role in the conservation of P. apollo.

Bibliography

Descimon, H. (1995). La conservation des Parnassius en France: aspects zoogéographiques, écologiques, démographiques et génétiques (Vol. 1, pp. 1-54). Editions OPIE.

Descimon, H., Bachelard, P., Boitier, E., & Pierrat, V. (2005). Decline and extinction of Parnassius apollo populations in France-continued. Studies on the Ecology and Conservation of Butterflies in Europe, 1, 114-115.

Engler, R., Randin, C. F., Thuiller, W., Dullinger, S., Zimmermann, N. E., Araujo, M. B., … & Guisan, A. (2011). 21st century climate change threatens mountain flora unequally across Europe. Global change biology, 17(7), 2330-2341.

Harris, I. P. D. J., Jones, P. D., Osborn, T. J., & Lister, D. H. (2014). Updated high‐resolution grids of monthly climatic observations–the CRU TS3. 10 Dataset. International journal of climatology, 34(3), 623-642. 

Hülber, K., Kuttner, M., Moser, D., Rabitsch, W., Schindler, S., Wessely, J., … & Dullinger, S. (2020). Habitat availability disproportionally amplifies climate change risks for lowland compared to alpine species. Global Ecology and Conservation, 23, e01113.

IPCC 2018: Special Report Global Warming of 1.5°C. https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/

Lenoir, J., Gégout, J. C., Marquet, P. A., de Ruffray, P., & Brisse, H. (2008). A significant upward shift in plant species optimum elevation during the 20th century. Science, 320(5884), 1768-1771.

Nakonieczny, M., Kedziorski, A., & Michalczyk, K. (2007). Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo L.) in Europe–its history, decline and perspectives of conservation. Functional Ecosystems and Communities, 1(1), 56-79.

Nogués-Bravo, D., Araújo, M. B., Errea, M. P., & Martínez-Rica, J. P. (2007). Exposure of global mountain systems to climate warming during the 21st Century. Global environmental change, 17(3-4), 420-428.

Massolo, A., Fric, Z. F., & Sbaraglia, C. (2022). Climate Change Effects on Habitat Suitability of a Butterfly in the Past, Present, and Future: Biotic Interaction between Parnassius apollo and Its Host Plants. University of Pisa.

Parmesan, C., Ryrholm, N., Stefanescu, C., Hill, J. K., Thomas, C. D., Descimon, H., … & Warren, M. (1999). Poleward shifts in geographical ranges of butterfly species associated with regional warming. Nature, 399(6736), 579-583.

Richarz, N., Neumann, D., & Wipking, W. (1989). Untersuchungen zur ökologie des Apollofalters (Parnassius apollo vinningensis, Stichel 1899, Lepidoptera, Papilionidae) im Weinbaugebiet der unteren Mosel. Mitt der Assoc Rheinisch-Westfälischer Lepidopterologen, 5, 108-259.

Zhang, Y., Susan Moran, M., Nearing, M. A., Ponce Campos, G. E., Huete, A. R., Buda, A. R., … & Starks, P. J. (2013). Extreme precipitation patterns and reductions of terrestrial ecosystem production across biomes. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, 118(1), 148-157.Żukowski, R. (1959). Problemy zaniku i wymierania motyla Parnassius apollo L. na ziemiach polskich. Sylwan, 103(06-07).

Migratory history and ecology of the Apollo butterfly

Written by Maureen Nieuwschepen


This article is the first in a two-part, scientifically-based series on Parnassius apollo.

Origin and migratory history

The Parnassius genus first originated in Laurasia (now West-China, Fig. 1) in the early Paleogen (about 65 million years ago). The collision of the Indian tectonic plate into the Asian continent, during the Miocene epoch (23.03 – 5.33 million years ago), resulted in the formation of the Himalayan mountain ranges in Central Asia and thereby a dramatic change in habitats. The Himalayan plateau blocked the Asian monsoon and reduced precipitation in Central Asia (Quade et al., 1989), which led to an increase in steppe plants. The changes in biotic (host plant shift) and abiotic (climate change and orogeny (i.e. mountain formation by converging tectonic plates)) conditions led to the first large-scale radiation of Parnassius into more than 50 species (Condamine et al., 2018). 

Figure 1. World map showing the origin and radiation center of the genus Parnassius (orange) and the approximate current distribution of Parnassius apollo (blue). Information retrieved from Nakonieczny et al., 2007.

Further diversification

One Parnassius species, Parnassius apollo (Linnaeus, 1758), dispersed far westward towards Europe and northwards until the permanent snow cover border (Nakonieczny et al., 2007).  During this time, it was still a vast steppe species. The first glaciation in Europe drove P. apollo southwards into refuges (Nakonieczny et al., 2007). Further subsequent glacial-interglacial cycles fueled the expansion and retraction of P. apollo and its occupations and withdrawals in and out of refuges. These ongoing dynamics most probably have led to the further subspecific evolution within P. apollo, leading to over  200 described subspecies in Europe (Todisco et al., 2010). Similar, but to a lesser extent dynamic, processes occurred in the Asian P. apollo range, explaining the difference in subspecies variety between Europa and Asia.

Current distribution

The shrinking steppe habitat in Europe posed selective pressure on P. apollo, leading to a gradual change from a typical steppe species to a mountain-steppe species (Nakonieczny et al., 2007). Now, P. Apollo is considered a steppe and mountain-subalpine-sub boreal species, occupying many different habitats in a wide distribution range (Descimon, 1995).  Its extensive Palaearctic range spans from 7° W (Cantabrian Mountains, Spain) to 120° E (Yakutia, Russia), including the Khentei Mountains in Mongolia. Its latitudinal distribution spans from 62° N (western Finland and Oppland, Norway) to approximately 38° N (Sierra Gádor in Spain, La Madonie massif in Sicily, Mt. Erímanthos in Greece, and West Taurus massif in northeastern Turkey) (summarized from several sources by Nakonieczny et al., 2007)(Fig. 1).

Description

The appearance of P. Apollo makes it one of Europe’s most iconic butterflies, with its 50-80 mm wingspan, chalk-white wings, grey markings, and black and red spots. Males and females differ in their patterns on the fore and hindwings, indicating sexual dimorphism. The different subspecies vary in size, wing shape, and wing pattern. However, the red spots are always present on the hindwings (Bonin et al., 2024).

Figure 2. Female Parnassius apollo

Apollo habitats in Europe

P. Apollo habitats in Europe typically consist of dry calcareous grasslands and steppes in upland areas, and alpine and subalpine grassland. Rocky habitats and screes are also suitable, but below an altitude limit dependent on the mountain range (up to 1,800 m a.s.l. in the Carpathians, 2,500 m a.s.l. in the Alps, and 3,000 m a.s.l. in the Sierra Nevada (Nakonieczny et al., 2007). Regardless of habitat type, the availability of suitable food plants for the larvae is crucial.  

Figure 3. Map of Europe with Parnassius apollo distribution in blue ( Information retrieved from Nakonieczny et al., 2007.)

Host plants

P. apollo is an oligophagous species, i.e., it is restricted to a few specific food sources. Larvae (caterpillars) feed on Sedum album (Linnaeus, 1758) (Fig. 4) or Hylotelephium telephium (Linnaeus, 1758) (Fig. 5) (Nakonieczny & Kędziorski, 2005). These are Sedum species, or stonecrop, which can live in dry conditions due to their CAM strategy (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) (Wai et al., 2019). Lowland P. apollo populations primarily feed on H. telephium, as it grows in open forests and meadows. In contrast, higher altitude P. apollo populations predominantly feed on S. album, a species found in calcareous rocky environments (Stephenson, 1994).  This divides European P. apollo populations into ‘telephiophagous’ forms, feeding on H. telephium and ‘albophagous’ forms, feeding on S. album. Flying adult butterflies rely on a broader range of nectariferous plants for their nectar source, depending on the availability in the area (Massolo et al., 2022).

Life cycle

The P. Apollo life cycle (Fig. 6) lasts one year and is univoltine, i.e., overwintering in the egg stage (Bonin et al, 2024).  Females lay eggs that remain dormant over the winter and hatch in the spring of the following year.  The larvae feed on the host plants until they develop fully in size while going through several molts. After this phase, the caterpillar turns into metamorphosis, becoming a pupa. The pupa does not feed but relies on the energy stored from the food it consumed as a larva (Gilbert et al., 1996).  While in the pupa state, the metamorphosis of larva to adult butterfly occurs through a complex series of biochemical reactions, controlled by neural and hormonal mechanisms (Gilbert et al., 1996). 

Bibliography

Bonin, L., Jeromen, M., & Jeran, M. (2024). Endangered Butterflies and Their Conservation: the Decline of Parnassius apollo and Phengaris spp. in Europe and Slovenia. Proceedings of Socratic Lectures. 10, 117-125.

Condamine, F. L., Rolland, J., Höhna, S., Sperling, F. A., & Sanmartín, I. (2018). Testing the role of the Red Queen and Court Jester as drivers of the macroevolution of Apollo butterflies. Systematic biology, 67(6), 940-964.

Descimon, H., Bachelard, P., Boitier, E., & Pierrat, V. (2005). Decline and extinction of Parnassius apollo populations in France-continued. Studies on the Ecology and Conservation of Butterflies in Europe, 1, 114-115.

Gilbert, S. F., Opitz, J. M., & Raff, R. A. (1996). Resynthesizing evolutionary and developmental biology. Developmental biology, 173(2), 357-372.

Massolo, A., Fric, Z. F., & Sbaraglia, C. (2022). Climate Change Effects on Habitat Suitability of a Butterfly in the Past, Present, and Future: Biotic Interaction between Parnassius Apollo and Its Host Plants. University of Pisa.

Nakonieczny, M., & Kędziorski, A. (2005). Feeding preferences of the Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo ssp. frankenbergeri) larvae inhabiting the Pieniny Mts (southern Poland). Comptes rendus. Biologies, 328(3), 235-242.

Nakonieczny, M., Kedziorski, A., & Michalczyk, K. (2007). Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo L.) in Europe–its history, decline and perspectives of conservation. Functional Ecosystems and Communities, 1(1), 56-79.

Quade, J., Cerling, T. E., & Bowman, J. R. (1989). Development of Asian monsoon revealed by marked ecological shift during the latest Miocene in northern Pakistan. Nature, 342(6246), 163-166.

Stephenson, R. (1994). Sedum: cultivated stonecrops. Timber press, Portland. (pp. 335-pp).

Todisco, V., Gratton, P., Cesaroni, D., & Sbordoni, V. (2010). Phylogeography of Parnassius apollo: hints on taxonomy and conservation of a vulnerable glacial butterfly invader. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 101(1), 169-183

Wai, C. M., Weise, S. E., Ozersky, P., Mockler, T. C., Michael, T. P., & VanBuren, R. (2019). Time of day and network reprogramming during drought induced CAM photosynthesis in Sedum album. PLoS genetics, 15(6), e1008209.

Nature Restoration Law adopted: what this breaking news means

On 17th of June 2024 – breaking news was announced- the EU Council adopted the Nature Restoration Law. This piece of news has a major meaning for all EU citizens and all species including pollinators

NRL has been sealed after the long process of negotiation

Nature Restoration Law,  called shortly NRL, aims at the restoration of the EU’s land and sea ecosystems. Its goal is to reverse the severe decline of the EU’s nature where currently only 15 % of habitats are in good condition. NRL, for the first time in history, obliges states to put adequate measures in place to restore ecosystems – precisely at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, at least 60% by 2040, and at least 90% by 2050.

For the first time in history, legally binding targets aiming at ecosystem restoration will be introduced in the EU at this scale. The NRL was being prepared and negotiated for a very long time. It passed through many changes in the process to finally be voted in the EU Parliament in November 2023. Even though, the new regulation has been passed in the EU parliament, it was waiting to be adopted by the EU Council until now. Thanks to the change in vote from the side of Austria and Slovakia, the required majority has been obtained and Nature Restoration Law has been sealed.

Importance of the NRL for Parnassius apollo and all other pollinators.

This law will play a major role in the restoration of all ecosystems and support all species. Here few aspects of how it will impact wild pollinators:

-Major threats for pollinators, such as fragmentation of habitats and low biodiversity in agricultural land areas will be now addressed systemically and real measures will have to be introduced by states to prevent and reverse these processes.

-States will need to put measures in place to reverse the declining trend of pollinators by 2030.

-States will need to plan and submit national restoration plans to the EU Commission, showing how they will deliver on the targets.

-As states will need to measure the accomplishment of the targets, data about pollinators can become a very important source of information for evaluation for them.

-The Grassland Butterfly Index will be optional to measure the biodiversity enhancement in farmland areas, which gives importance to pollinators as indicators of biodiversity.

Parnassius apollo in its historical habitat, Natura 2000 area. Poland. Photo by:Julia Hava,

What can we contribute as one of LIFE’s projects 

There are different ways in which LIFE projects can contribute to a larger perspective. Through providing data, developing and communicating best practices for conservation, and sharing experiences built through cooperation with a very diverse stakeholder network.

Data on pollinators, so on meadows and grasslands are important to monitor conditions in the proximity of and on agricultural land.  LIFE projects build best practices – for example on grazing to enhance the biodiversity of grassland, and need to adjust agro-environmental schemes for extensive grazing for these solutions to become reliable sources of income for farmers and therefore more popular solutions.

Grazing for conservation

As part of the LIFE Apollo2020 project, we work to improve conditions in grassland habitats and cooperate with multiple stakeholders: public and private, including forestry, farmers, owners of quarries and local citizens. We collaborate with all of them to build a network of habitats for the species. We also spread knowledge on the value of having biodiverse ecosystems and the many advantages of having diverse species as neighbours.

We collect the best practices on grasslands and Apollo conservation. In collaboration with all these stakeholders, we navigate challenges and look for solutions which can benefit local communities and different species. Without dialogue with all these stakeholders, our conservation actions would not have a chance to last. We will be happy to contribute our experiences and knowledge to help reverse the fragmentation of habitats, which is a serious threat to so many species.

The landscape mosaic with diverse connected natural habitats is what many species miss to be able to choose the most suitable spot for their activities – whether to hide from the heat, escape the flood or just feed. Connected habitats also ensure the possibility for migration of the species to find new locations/partners. Nature Restoration Law will be a very important step to be able to recreate secure and healthy conditions for different species to live, including us – citizens.

Knowledge of habitats lies on many levels, including local knowledge. Those working on the LIFE projects have a chance to collect very diverse experiences and have a significant role to play as a messenger between local, scientific, national and international levels. As one of LIFE projects – we are here to contribute in this messenger role. We encourage everyone to document and exchange knowledge. 

We are restoring the splendour of Kruczy Kamień nature reserve, PL

We are restoring the splendour of Kruczy Kamień nature reserve – the most important place for the Apollo butterfly in the Polish Sudetes 

Kruczy Kamień is an inanimate nature reserve. It was established in 1954 and currently has an area of 12.61 ha. It covers western and south-western slopes of Krucza Skała (681 m above sea level) located in the Krucza Valley, in the Stone Mountains. The subject of the reserve’s protection is an interesting form of trachyte intrusion (a variety of porphyry of volcanic origin) in the sedimentary rocks of the Rotliegend. The area is made up of steep slopes with heights reaching 30 metres in places. Numerous rock formations occur here, and in many places extensive fields of rock rubble are formed as a result of the crumbling of the porphyry rock.

Most of the reserve is covered with artificially planted spruce forest. The reminder is covered mainly by rocky, xerothermic, pioneer and meadow vegetation. Among the more important habitats recorded in the reserve are ecosystems of Pontic-Pannonian character, which form a mosaic with xerothermic and rocky grasslands. At the foot of the escarpment there are rare – Subcontinental Peri-Pannonian shrubby habitats Rhamno-Prunetea thickets with numerous patches of Cotoneaster integerrimus (one of the largest in the Sudetes) and herbaceous plants. The shrubs are also accompanied by Festuco-Stipion Pannonic grasslands, with Sedum species, important for the Apollo butterfly Parnassius apollo. Habitats of ephemeral character have developed on the rock rubble layer and in rock crevices. This is the thermophilic pioneer vegetation of the rock shelves of the Alysso-Sedion association classified as Sempervivetum soboliferi complex. This habitat type is rich in the succulent species Jovibarba sobolifera, Sedum acre, Sedum maximum and Sedum album (artificially introduced). The latter two species provide a food source for the caterpillars of the Apollo butterfly. These ecosystems undergo gradual succession, becoming overgrown with taller vegetation, mainly grasses and perennials and then shrubs and trees. At the foot of the reserve there are habitats rich in nectariferous plants: patches of xerothermic grassland and herbaceous vegetation, and further on, lush and dense meadow vegetation composed largely of Centaurea and Cirsium species.

Rare plant species, including those protected by law in Poland, include: the endemic morphological form of Viola porphyrea, Cotoneaster integerrimus, Festuca pallens, Lilium martagon, Digitalis grandiflora, Melampyrum sylvaticum, Antennaria dioica and Asplenium septentrionale.

A rich insect fauna, especially butterflies, was found in the reserve. However, the most important has always been the local subspecies of the Apollo butterfly Parnassius apollo silesianus, which occurs here. This butterfly became extinct at the beginning of the 20th century, and the Krucze Mountains area was one of the last places of its occurrence in Lower Silesia. The first successful attempt to reintroduce the species in the reserve was made as early as the 1990s, and the butterflies persisted in the site for more than 10 years. Reintroduction continued in the 21st century, when breeding began as part of a project by the Fundacja Ekorozwoju, the Karkonosze National Park and the Stołowe Mountains National Park, which now continues under the Apollo2020 project. The habitat itself has also been cared for. Unfortunately, years have passed since the last conservation measures in the reserve. The sunny slopes have again become overgrown with shrubs and tree undergrowth. The thermophilic habitats have been shaded and the landslides have started to lose their dynamic character.

This winter, Klub Przyrodników carried out conservation measures in the reserve that will help to preserve and, in places, restore its peculiar charm. An area of approximately 1.7 hectares was cleared of shrubs (with the exception of Cotoneaster integerrimus), as well as tree undergrowth, including some larger specimens, the seeds of which are spreading along the slopes of Krucze Kamień reinforcing the succession process. Our further aim is to maintain the effects of these activities and stop the regrowth of felled shrubs and trees by grazing goats. 

In spring, Apollo caterpillars can be seen in the reserve, which have hatched from the eggs laid by butterflies last year, and every summer, the spectacle of philutically flying Apollo butterfly plays out before our eyes on the slopes of the reserve and in the meadow at its foot. Our dream is to establish a permanent population of the species in the reserve, which will only need our help to cut the bushes.

Outdoor season in Austria has officially started!

The snow has started to melt in the Alps, which means that the outdoor work season for the Apollo butterfly in Austrian habitats could officially begin. With the great help of volunteers, the Austrian team (EWS) has started the crucial task of debushing in two Apollo habitats – Lofer, Salzburg, and Fieberbrunn, Tyrol.

With warm and sunny weather on our side, we focused on clearing away overgrown bushes and trees to uncover the rocky slopes beneath. These rocky slopes are vital for the survival of Apollo caterpillars, as they provide the perfect environment for the caterpillars to thrive. The exposed slopes are ideal for the growth of Sedum plants, which are the main food source for the caterpillars. Keeping these areas free of excessive bush growth is important to maintaining a suitable habitat for the caterpillars.

In addition to our debushing efforts, we planted various Sedum species (Sedum sexangulare and Sedum album) to ensure the caterpillars have plenty of food. This step is needed for helping the caterpillars grow into healthy pupae and eventually transform into imagines. To support the adult butterflies, we also sowed seeds of nectar-producing plants, ensuring that there will be nectar sources available when the butterflies emerge.

The highlight of the day was discovering numerous Apollo caterpillars within the habitat. In Lofer, Salzburg. We saw them actively crawling and feeding on the Sedum plants, which was an exciting confirmation that our conservation measures are already paying off.

During our work, we had the pleasure of meeting a group of children and their teacher. The kids were eager to learn about the Parnassius apollo butterflies, their feeding plants, and our conservation efforts. Their enthusiasm and curiosity has again assured us how important is to involve and educate also the younger generation about environmental conservation.

Looking ahead, we are excited for the rest of the spring and summer seasons. We will continue our efforts to maintain and improve the habitats, ensuring that the Apollo butterflies have a thriving environment.

The rescue mission for Apollo continues in Czechia

Last year, our Czech partner ČSOP Hradec Králové managed to light up (not only) over a hectare of densely overgrown rocky terrain for Parnassius apollo, which was covered with impenetrable trees and thickets up to 15 metres high. But our efforts did not end there! Thanks to long-term support from the Škoda Auto Foundation and a partnership with the KRNAP administration, this winter we have managed to open an area that is now two to three times larger than some of the sites where Apollo still survives in Slovakia or Poland.

The work is really extreme and dangerous, and in some places you literally have to do magic on a rope. Through the Krakonoš Gardens project, we have been able to purchase special equipment that allows us to safely reach even the most inaccessible places.

And that’s not all. So far we’ve only focused on one main location, but in the coming period we’ll start preparing a second home for the Butterfly King, which is nearby. We have also walked the surrounding area in detail, mapping the occurrence of both feeding and nectar plants, as well as the surrounding meadows and potential corridors that can serve as a network of stepping stones for the Apollo. These are the kind of microhabitats that help the butterfly king to cross the road when travelling to a new home or mate. It’s a bit like imagining the stones you use to hop from one side of a river to the other.

We’re looking forward to getting the place all smelling and buzzing. Last year, the restored rocky areas have already attracted various species of flowering plants and insects, which had not had enough space and light here before, including, for example, Hornet moth tied to the Spurges or Zygaena ephialtes, which was known on the Czech and Polish side of the Krkonoše Mountains from only one location, although it used to be common here in the past. And thanks to the new finds of rare butterflies last year, it is now indisputable that the activities aimed at the return of Parnassius apollo are helping several of the rarest butterfly species in the Krkonoše Mountains, such as the least and forest Small blue or the Silver-spotted skipper, to survive.

Apollo, as this massive mountain butterfly is also called after the god Apollo, is facing great difficulties today. Its numbers are declining rapidly across central Europe due to deteriorating conditions in its natural habitat, which are affected by both human activity and climate change. Even in the aforementioned sites in Poland and Slovakia, it is no longer thriving, mainly due to the abandonment of traditional farming practices, where excess and sprawling plants were regulated primarily by grazing animals. Last year, Parnassius apollo numbers declined by somewhere up to 90%. This project could thus play a key role in conserving the Central European gene pool of this iconic species and maintaining the population of this butterfly in our region.

The caterpillars of the next generation of Apollo hatched from eggs in the rescue kennel a few weeks ago, and now there are hundreds of them. The actual hatching of the butterflies could take place in June, after which we plan the first experimental release of males at the Krkonoše sites where the field work mentioned last year took place. It does not make much sense to reshape the habitat according to the so-called “human view”, even if we are convinced that our efforts are correct. By observing certain behavioural traits of butterflies, which they can demonstrate directly in the field, we can learn from unnecessary mistakes and guide our efforts in the right direction.

Livestock Grazing’s Role in Preserving Apollo’s Habitat

By Vlado Vancura

Domestic grazers, like livestock, might seem to be an unexpected ally for Apollo butterflies. Their role in creating a suitable habitat for this butterfly is fascinating. When the livestock graze, they systematically remove the emerging sprouts of trees and shrubs. That is their way how maintaining an open landscape. It is a process that helps to diversify meadows and preserves the open landscape that P. apollo thrive.

In the past, the role of creating suitable habitats, not only for Apollo butterflies but also for various other insects, was primarily fulfilled by native grazers like red deer, roe deer, wild goats, wild horses, European bison, or also the extinct auroch. These wild herbivores played a crucial part in shaping the landscape through their feeding behavior, preventing excessive growth of shrubs and trees. The unintentional impact of these grazers resulted in the removal of growing shrubs and young trees, maintaining open spaces. These open spaces allowed sunlight to reach the ground, establishing and sustaining the specific conditions vital for the life of Parnasius apollo. Simultaneously, this natural process diversified plant life, offering a variety of nectar sources for butterflies and host plants for their larvae.

Today, domestic animals such as cows, sheep, goats, and horses play a comparable function in habitat preservation to native grazers. The grazing actions of these domestic grazers help to create open spaces and allow sunlight to reach the ground. As a result, domestic grazers actively encourage the growth of a wide range of plant species that serve as nectar supplies for adult butterflies (imagines) and host plants for larvae. With careful management, domestic grazers can become collaborative partners in biodiversity conservation. This example vividly demonstrates how human actions, when coordinated with natural rhythms, can considerably benefit the well-being of P. apollo butteflies.

Grazing behaviours varies among domestic grazers. Sheep carefully nibble close to the ground, resulting in properly groomed areas.  As browsers, goats extend their reach to shrub leaves and twigs, causing vegetation to change structure. Cattle use a sweeping grazing motion to impact bigger areas.  Each species makes a distinctive contribution to the shaping of environment. Understanding and applying the various grazing habits of numerous domestic grazers allows us to build a balance that closely matches natural processes and in which also Apollo butterflies can thrive.

Today, the thriving habitat of the Parnassius Apollo, encompassing alpine and subalpine grasslands, dry calcareous grasslands, and slopes in upland areas, faces a threat from uncontrolled vegetation overgrowth. The delicate balance crucial for supporting the unique flora essential to the butterfly’s life cycle depends on well-maintained open spaces. Ensuring stable Apollo populations necessitates a habitat that provides both food plants for the larvae and nectareous plants for the adults. Domestic pastures provide as a safeguard, preventing spontaneous overgrowth, which happens quickly when grazing is reduced or stopped. Strategic grazing management, particularly with the help of goats, proves effective in reducing the vegetation growth and protecting a vital environment for the Parnassius apollo.

This demonstrates how coordinated conservation efforts, particularly through effective domestic animal grazing management, can be realised. When faced with the difficulty of protecting important open spaces, incorporating grazing practices emerges as a viable solution to ensure Parnassius apollo’s existence. It provides a compelling model for harmonious interaction with the environment while preserving the captivating world of these butterflies.

2024: Mosel’s Apollo crowned as Butterfly of the Year!

In 2024, the charming Mosel region has crowned the Apollo Butterfly as its Butterfly of the Year! This magnificent insect has captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike with its vibrant beauty and captivating charm. Choosing the apollo for Butterfly of the Year, a decision which was also influenced by nature conservation organisations such as BUND NRW, has a worrying background: In the Mosel region, pesticides are still used that send apollo population down a dark path.

The Mosel wine region in Germany is not only renowned for its picturesque landscapes and world-class wines but also for the unique ecosystem that thrives there. However, this delicate balance of nature is now under threat as the use of pesticides in the vineyards has begun to take a toll on the insects resident in the Mosel region, including the Parnassius apollo. The decrease of individuals in the Mosel region correlates with the use of pesticides in recent years. Pesticides are spread by helicopters and it is particularly noteworthy that at least the new substances used in recent times are applied without any nature conservation impact assessment.

The subpopulation of the Mosel region, namely Parnassius apollo ssp. vinningensis, only exists in this particular region. It differs slightly from apollo subspecies in the Alps, Sweden or from those found in Spain. Beyond its visual appeal, the Apollo Butterfly possesses an intriguing life cycle. The species is known for its preference for high-altitude habitats, making the Mosel region an ideal home if it were not for applied chemicals and pesticides.

The Apollo Butterfly’s recognition as Butterfly of the Year is a testament to its vibrant beauty and captivating charm. At the same time, however, it is a warning. Like in many other European regions as well as in Germany, the apollo population of the Mosel region is declining rapidly and is in great danger of extinction. Alternatives for harmful pesticides must be found if this beautiful butterfly should be protected. Moreover, it is essential to preserve the habitats that this species relies on. By protecting their preferred host plants and maintaining the natural balance of the ecosystem, the magnificent butterflies can thrive. In the Mosel region, visitors still flock to the area to witness the Apollo Butterfly in its natural habitat, with guided tours and educational programs providing an opportunity to learn more about this enchanting species. This might change in the future though if nothing is done right now.

The Apollo Butterfly’s striking appearance and graceful flight have also inspired artists and designers in the region. Their unique patterns and colors have been incorporated into various forms of art, from paintings to jewelry. Local festivals and events now celebrate the Apollo Butterfly, with dedicated butterfly-themed exhibitions and workshops. These festivities not only showcase the region’s rich cultural heritage but also raise awareness about the importance of preserving biodiversity and the delicate balance of nature.

As we celebrate the Apollo Butterfly being crowned as the Butterfly of the Year in 2024, we are reminded of the beauty and wonder that nature bestows upon us. We are also reminded of the harm humans can do to other creatures smaller and weaker than us if we do not realise that we are part of the natural ecosystem.