Butterflies of Altai Krai and the Altai Republic

The Altai: a mountain paradise for butterflies

The Altai region — Altai Krai and the Altai Republic — is one of the richest areas for butterfly diversity in Siberia. On a relatively small territory, foothill steppe species and high-mountain endemics occur side by side. More than 150 species of day-flying Lepidoptera make the Altai one of the best places in Russia to watch butterflies.

Zones and characteristic species

Steppes and foothills

Northern Altai Krai includes South Siberian steppes. Here fly steppe species rare in Central Russia: several sulphurs of the genus Colias, ringlets, satyrs, and steppe blues. Mixed-grass steppes are rich in nectar and attract masses of migratory species.

Mountain meadows (1000–2000 m)

Subalpine meadows of the Altai Republic are the region’s richest biotopes. They support:

• Apollo (Parnassius apollo) — rocky slopes with houseleek
• Mnemosyne (Parnassius mnemosyne) — moist meadows with Corydalis
• Phoebus Apollo (Parnassius phoebus) — high-alpine meadows
• Numerous sulphurs of the genus Colias — yellow and orange; some occur only here

High mountains (above 2000 m)

On alpine meadows and scree fly arctic species: fritillaries, sulphurs, and specialized high-mountain blues of the genus Polyommatus.

Rare and protected species

Several species listed in Red Data Books of various levels are concentrated in the Altai:

• Apollo — mountain slopes with houseleek
• Phoebus Apollo — high mountains above 1500 m
• Tiso’s sulphur (Colias thisoa) — high-alpine meadows
• Daphnis blue (Polyommatus daphnis) — steppe areas in the south

Observation routes

Chuysky Trakt (road to Mongolia) — a mix of steppe, river valleys, and mountain meadows; accessible by car.

Lake Teletskoye — rich meadows and forests, diversity of woodland and meadow species.

Seminsky Pass — subalpine meadows with a good concentration of mountain species.

Katunsky Nature Reserve — richest in high-mountain species, including Apollo.

Seasonal calendar

See also: rare butterflies of Russia and the page on Apollo.