This species is, as its name suggests, slightly smaller than the Apollo, with which it often flies in the Alps. A more reliable identification feature however is the presence of a red spot (or several) close to the tip of the forewing. The antennae are also subtly ringed black and white, whereas those of the Apollo are a continuous colour. It is much more localized than the Apollo too, generally being found above 1800m around damp rocky areas where its foodplant, yellow mountain saxifrage (Saxifraga aizoides) grows.