Butterflies of Sverdlovsk Oblast (Urals)

Butterflies of the Middle Urals

Sverdlovsk Oblast lies at the boundary of the West Siberian Plain and the Ural Mountains — landscape diversity is reflected in butterfly fauna. About 90 day-flying Lepidoptera inhabit mountain meadows, taiga forests, and river valleys. The region’s special value is mountain species, above all Apollo.

Characteristic species by biotope

Mountain slopes and meadows

Ural rocky mountains are home to two swallowtail species listed in the Red Data Book:

• Apollo (Parnassius apollo) — white with red spots, flies in June–July on rocky slopes with houseleek
• Mnemosyne (Parnassius mnemosyne) — semi-transparent white, in forest gorges with Corydalis

Besides swallowtails, mountain meadows abound in dark green fritillary (Speyeria aglaja), other fritillaries, and sulphurs of the genus Colias.

River valleys

The Chusovaya River valley is one of the best butterfly biotopes in the region. On limestone outcrops occur species uncharacteristic of the taiga zone: several blues, checkerspots, and orange tip.

Taiga forests

In coniferous forests fly woodland species: mourning cloak, small tortoiseshell, ringlet, and several fritillaries. On clearings and forest edges — common meadow species.

Protected species

Several species are listed in the Red Data Book of Sverdlovsk Oblast:

• Apollo — rocky slopes with houseleek
• Mnemosyne — damp forests with Corydalis
• Polaris fritillary (Boloria polaris) — mountain and subarctic tundra
• Alcon blue — steppe areas in the south of the oblast

Best observation sites

Chusovaya River valley — limestone, mixed-grass meadows, several rare species.

Visim Nature Reserve — diversity of taiga species.

Gornozavodsk District — mountain meadows with swallowtails in June–July.

Olenyi Ruchyi Nature Park — mix of forest and meadow biotopes, accessible to tourists.

Seasonal calendar

To learn about mountain species see large butterflies and the page on Apollo.