Size and habitat characteristics of a population of Parnassius stubbendorfii in Hövsgöl province, Mongolia

Abstract

Little published information exists on the ecology of Stubbendorf's Apollo (Parnassius stubbendorfi i Ménétries, 1849), a species listed as threatened in Mongolia. To help fi ll this gap, we provide a population size estimate and habitat characteristics for P. stubbendorfi i in an area just west of Lake Hövsgöl, Mongolia. On July 6 and 7, 2020 we used aerial nets to capture and mark individuals using a fi ne-tipped, permanent marker to then estimate the population size. We further estimated vegetative species richness, abundance, and estimated percent cover of P. stubendorfi i habitat. We estimated a population of 2,059.21 ±234.03 SD butterfl ies at the time of our sampling. Grasses, sedges, and willows dominated our plots within the butterfl y's habitat. Habitat was patchy, with each subplot characterized by a diff erent vegetative community. We found only one species of larval host plant, namely fewfl ower fumewort (Corydalis paucifl ora). We noted feeding by adult P. stubbendorfi on several plants, especially including the important nectaring plants, stone parsley (Schultzia crinite) and sweet vetch (Hedysarum inundatum).