
Parnassius acdestis

Parnassius acdestis is a high-altitude butterfly found in India. It is a member of the genus "Parnassius" of the swallowtail family, Papilionidae. The species was first described by Grigory Grum-Grshimailo in 1891.
Description.
Note: The wing pattern in "Parnassius species" is inconsistent and the very many subspecies and forms make identification problematic and uncertain. Structural characters derived from the genitalia, wing venation, sphragis and foretibial epiphysis are more, but not entirely reliable. The description given here is a guide only. For an identification key see P.R. Ackery (1975).
Hindwing with very narrow marginal band, the submarginal spots isolated, small; the ultracellular costal spot of forewing continued by grey scaling, forming an s-shaped band.
Range.
Kirghistan, Nepal, northern India (Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim), western China, Sinkiang and Szechwan.
Status.
Very local. Rather rare. Not known to be threatened.