Rocky Mountain Parnassian (Parnassius smintheus) is in the Swallowtails and Parnassians family (Papilionidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,200 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 Rocky Mountain Parnassian: observations by month (U.S.)
About Rocky Mountain Parnassian
Parnassius smintheus, the Rocky Mountain parnassian, or Rocky Mountain apollo, is a high-altitude butterfly found in the Rocky Mountains throughout the United States and Canada. It is a member of the snow Apollo genus (Parnassius) of the swallowtail family (Papilionidae). The butterfly ranges in color from white to pale yellow-brown, with red and black markings that indicate to predators it is unpalatable.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Rocky Mountain Parnassian by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 1,728 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Wyoming | 599 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Washington | 267 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Montana | 214 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Oregon | 91 | July | Jun–Jul |
| New Mexico | 86 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Utah | 84 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Idaho | 72 | July | Jun–Jul |
| California | 57 | July | Jul–Aug |
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 Rocky Mountain Parnassian?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to August.
Where is Rocky Mountain Parnassian most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, Wyoming, Washington.