Butterflies of the Republic of Bashkortostan (Southern Urals)

Southern Urals: a transition zone of biotopes

Bashkortostan lies at the boundary of forest and steppe zones at the foot of the Southern Urals. This transitional position ensures rich butterfly diversity — more than 120 day-flying species. Mountain ranges, broad-leaved forests, and mixed-grass steppes create a mosaic of biotopes, each with its own set of species.

Characteristic species

Mountain ranges of the Southern Urals

Protected species live on rocky slopes of the Southern Urals:

• Apollo (Parnassius apollo) — June–July, rocky slopes with houseleek
• Mnemosyne (Parnassius mnemosyne) — moist meadows and forests with Corydalis

Besides swallowtails, mountain meadows support rich communities of fritillaries, sulphurs, and blues.

Steppes and forest-steppe

The steppe part of Bashkortostan is the richest biotope for day-flying species. Mixed-grass steppes with thyme, sainfoin, and feather grass attract numerous blues. On steppe slopes occur several species of eastern origin.

Broad-leaved forests

On forest edges and glades fly nymphalids: small tortoiseshell, peacock, red admiral, numerous fritillaries and emperors.

Protected species

Listed in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan:

• Apollo — mountain slopes
• Mnemosyne — forest tracts with Corydalis
• Alcon blue (Phengaris arion) — steppe areas with thyme
• Aurinia’s fritillary — wet meadows

Reserves and protected areas

Bashkir State Nature Reserve — the richest territory by butterfly species number.

Shulgan-Tash (Kapova Cave) — mountain landscape with diversity of mountain and forest species.

Muradymovskoye Gorge Nature Park — limestone cliffs with rare species.

Seasonal calendar

See also: butterflies of Sverdlovsk Oblast (Middle Urals) and the overview butterflies of Russia.