Mountain parnassian butterfly or Parnassius sminthius
Mountain parnassian butterflies or Parnassius sminthius can be found in dry, rocky meadows of the eastern Cascades, the Okanogan highlands and Olympics -- high places with south-facing slopes where its host plant grows. This butterfly has adapted rely on stonecrop as its larval host plant. Butterflies take flight mostly in mid-summer.
Mountain parnassians have white wings with black markings and red or orange spots, and have a wingspan around 2-1/2 inches more or less. Females have transparent wings. These butterflies are close relatives to swallowtails based on their wing structure and how their larvae develop.
