Clodius Parnassian (Parnassius clodius) is in the Swallowtails and Parnassians family (Papilionidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,398 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Clodius Parnassian: observations by month (U.S.)
About Clodius Parnassian
Parnassius clodius is a high-altitude butterfly which is found in the United States and Canada. It is a member of the snow Apollo genus (Parnassius) of the swallowtail family (Papilionidae).From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Clodius Parnassian by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,432 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Oregon | 1,246 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Washington | 1,210 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Wyoming | 190 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Idaho | 146 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Utah | 124 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Montana | 49 | July | Jul–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related butterflies (Swallowtails and Parnassians)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Pipevine Swallowtail
Black Swallowtail
Spicebush Swallowtail
Eastern Giant Swallowtail
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Zebra Swallowtail
Anise Swallowtail
Photography tips
- Butterflies are sluggish on cool mornings — the best time for close approaches.
- Keep the sensor parallel to the wings for edge-to-edge sharpness.
- Nectar plants in bloom are reliable places to wait.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Clodius Parnassian?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Clodius Parnassian most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon, Washington.