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Mnemosyne, according to external data, is very similar to a cabbage. Many can confuse them, not knowing the signs of the species. However, they even have different families. Mnemosyne is listed in the Red Book of some European countries.
The main difference from the garden pest is the translucent edges of the wings. In the cabbage they are vice versa - brighter.
The name of the species comes from the name of the goddess of memory in the mythology of ancient Greece. She was considered the mother of 9 muses.
External description
The butterfly has another name - “Black Apollo” due to similar external signs. The difference from Apollo is that Mnemosyne has no yellow spots.
The wingspan can reach 7 cm. The length of each front wing is 25 mm. The body and antennae are almost black. On the chest and abdomen there are thick whitish villi. Externally, the butterfly does not have bright shades. The wings are white. On the front wing there are 2 black dots. The edges are almost transparent, like glass. Black veins are located over the entire surface of the wings.
Sexual differences are poorly developed. Females have a more eye-catching coloration. You can notice a mild waist on the body. The abdomen is naked on the body of a female individual, some have yellow spots. It is difficult to distinguish between a female or a male in nature, without having the necessary information.
Habitat
Butterfly settles near feeding places. Mnemosyne, like any other butterfly, feeds on flower nectar. Prefers the banks of rivers and lakes, forest edges, open glades. Mnemosyne can settle in mountainous areas. Some individuals can live at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level.
Butterflies do not like to move to new places of residence. They make flights rarely and only in case of serious environmental changes.
Developmental stages and reproduction
In the spring, with the arrival of heat, larvae appear from the laid eggs. They immediately begin to eat the leaves of Corydalis. After a while, the larva becomes a caterpillar. Outwardly, the caterpillars are very bright: yellow spots are located on the black body on the sides. They prefer a nocturnal lifestyle and hide in foliage during the day.
The caterpillar constantly feeds and stores energy for transformation. When gaining the right weight, it turns into a chrysalis. Previously, the caterpillar selects a place to live in pupation. In the form of a pupa, Mnemosyne spends about 2 weeks.
In early July (approximately) a butterfly is born. The individual is ready for breeding. Mnemosyne has an interesting feature: after mating, the female's genital tract closes. This will prevent subsequent fertilization.
After some time, the butterfly lays about 40 eggs. To do this, she selects the lower part of the leaf of Corydalis. The formation of the caterpillar occurs up to frost. With the onset of cold weather, the individual plunges into the stage of suspended animation until the spring period.
Varieties
Despite the fact that some species stand out, there are no special differences in them. There are no specific differences between them. It is quite difficult for biologists to distinguish subspecies from each other. For this, external signs are carefully studied. As a rule, they depend on climatic conditions and habitat. But Black Apollo has a different situation. Individuals may have a completely similar appearance, but at the same time they live in different regions and living conditions. There is an opposite effect: butterflies with different external characters are found in one locality.This is typical for insects in European territory.
Nevertheless, one can single out such a pattern: in areas with the coldest climates, Black Apollo butterflies have a brighter color than individuals that live in hot regions.
Species extinction
Mnemosyne is listed in the Red Book of many countries. It can be found in the lists of endangered species in Slovakia, Poland and in many Scandinavian countries.
Interesting Facts
There are 3 most popular facts about the butterfly Mnemosyne:
- The famous writer Vladimir Nabokov has a poem about the Black Apollo (he was fond of collecting butterflies).
- There is a belief that if you immediately meet 3 individuals of Mnemosyne, something happy will happen soon.
- The Corydalis plant is also under protection, as it is the main food of Black Apollo.
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