Tracking Success – Monitoring Apollo Larvae and Butterflies in Lofer
Regular monitoring is key to understanding how the endangered Parnassius apollo loferensis responds to habitat restoration efforts. In Lofer, the EU-LIFE Apollo2020 team carried out intensive field observations in spring and early summer 2025—focusing on larval development and adult butterfly emergence.
Larval Monitoring
The first caterpillars were spotted on 15 March 2025, with a total of 45 larvae recorded at the main breeding site. As temperatures rose, numbers increased:
- 10 April 2025 – 58 larvae counted
- 23 April 2025 – 41 larvae observed during a joint survey (many had already pupated; most Sedum plants had been eaten)
The strong feeding activity confirmed that the Sedum planting earlier in the season had been well-timed—but also highlighted the urgent need to expand food supply for future generations.
Butterfly Monitoring
Adult butterflies began to emerge in early June:
- 9 June 2025 – 6 males recorded
- 10 June 2025 – 8 males, 1 female
- 12 June 2025 – 14 males, 3 females
- 2 July 2025 – 5 males, 2 females
Field observations revealed particularly promising activity on the newly restored breeding sites: males were seen searching for females, and females were observed laying eggs—a strong indicator that these areas are already functioning as viable reproduction habitats.
“We observed egg-laying females at the new sites—clear proof that restoration is working.”
(Otto Feldner, 8 July 2025)
The next monitoring cycle in late summer and autumn will focus on habitat use and egg survival. Based on the results so far, the Lofer site remains one of the most promising strongholds for P. apollo in the region.
