Alexanor, subspecies Voldemar / Kichi Mahahon / Voldemar Southern Swallowtail
Alexanor, subspecies Voldemar
Status: Category II (VU B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)c(iii,iv); C2b). A local subspecies of a southwestern Palaearctic species with a mosaic range and declining population [23]; in Kyrgyzstan, populations are fragmented, small, and vulnerable, at the edge of the species range. The species is included in the Red Books of the USSR [26] and Uzbekistan (category VU B1ab+2ab(iii)c(iii,iv); D) [23]. An impressive and aesthetically valuable [13] species, one of two species of the genus in the republic.
Brief description of the adult stage appearance. Externally similar to the common swallowtail - a large butterfly, with a forewing length of 31-37 mm. Wings are pale yellow with a black pattern and a weak grayish-blue dusting on the submarginal transverse band. The hindwing has a tail and a blue eye spot with a black border in the upper half and red-orange in the lower part at the inner angle. Antennae are club-shaped, about one-third the length of the forewing. The body is slender, with a black dorsal stripe, and the hair on the shoulders, sides of the thorax, and abdomen is yellow. Sexual dimorphism is weakly expressed, with females being slightly larger than males [53].
General distribution and in the country. The species is sporadically found in Southern Europe, the Middle East, Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia; the range of P. a. voldemar is limited to the Western Tien Shan. In Kyrgyzstan [12, 23, 53, 88] - in the western part of the Kyrgyz and Talas ridges, on the southern slope of the Moldo-Tuu ridge [53] and in Sary-Chelek [9]. The indication of the presence in Kyrgyzstan, in the extreme west of the Alai valley, of the subspecies P. a. judeus Staudinger, 1893 [12, 87] is unreliable.
Habitats. In Kyrgyzstan - foothill and mid-mountain steep rocky-clay eroded slopes of mountains with diverse steppe and xerophytic vegetation, at altitudes of 800-2000 m above sea level.
Population. Generally low, occurring singly [87], in Kyrgyzstan, up to 10 populations are reliably known.
Life cycle (life cycles). The development cycle is usually two years, i.e., most pupae in the population hibernate twice, while the remaining part hibernates three times [53]. The butterflies fly and lay eggs from late May to early July. Caterpillars appear in early July, live solitary, feeding on the flowers and fruits of umbelliferous plants (species Ferula, Falcaria, Seseli, Torilis [27, 72], in the Kyrgyz ridge - Ferula sp. [53]), pupating in early August. They are often infected by parasitic wasps, including Trogus lapidator F. from the family Ichneumonidae [72, 86], as well as tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) [23]. The pupa is marshy-brown [53], with a band, attaching to dry parts of host plants and stones. Butterflies feed on nectar from wild onion flowers (Allium), composites (Sonchus, Centaurea, Ligularia) [27]. Males exhibit pronounced territorial behavior; females lay eggs one at a time on buds and vegetative parts of the host plant [53].
Limiting factors. Sedentary lifestyle and inability to migrate, fragmentation of populations. Factors of overgrazing, excessive haymaking, and endoparasitism have also been noted [23], with potential significance from increased recreational loads and pesticide application. For populations in Kyrgyzstan, haymaking is not a relevant factor, while parasitoids constitute the main component of a very high (70%) mortality rate of caterpillars [39].
Breeding (keeping in captivity). The possibility has been experimentally confirmed [23]. In Kyrgyzstan, work has been carried out to rear and grow collected eggs and caterpillars to the pupal stage, from which imagos were obtained after winter diapause (partially after two winters) [39]. This method significantly reduces caterpillar mortality from endoparasitism by wasps and can be used in conducting introductions.
Existing conservation measures. Not developed. The habitats of P. a. voldemar in the locations of current findings in Kyrgyzstan are not protected (the population status in the Sary-Chelek Reserve is unknown [9]). The subspecies is formally protected in the Chatkal-Ugam National Park (Uzbekistan) [23].
Recommended conservation measures. In habitats, create micro-reserves, reducing the load on plant communities through monitoring followed by regulation of human economic activities. It is necessary to investigate the possibility of expanding the range, including through artificial introduction.
Kichi Swallowtail
Voldemar Southern Swallowtail
Papilio (s. str.) alexanor Esper, 1800 ssp. voldemar Kreuzberg, 1989
Status: Vulnerable (VU B1ab (iii)+2ab(iii)c(iii, iv); C2b - Category II), local West Tien Shan subspecies of a mosaic-distributed widespread noticeable large butterfly, which species and subspecies are included into some regional Red Lists. It is one of two congeners in Kyrgyzstan and has aesthetic value and scientific zoogeographical importance and for preservation of regional genetic fund. Butterflies occur in June on stony and clayey low-montane slopes with steppe vegetation and Umbelliferae plants, at 800-2,000 m above sea level. Number is small everywhere. Limiting factors: excessive pasturage and endoparasitoids. At present it is out of any protection, but degree of anthropogenic disturbance of habitats is not critical. Monitoring in created micro-reservations, study of the reproductive ability and forage reserve and possibilities for stabilization of populations including the introduction are necessary for conservation of the species.
