Scarce swallowtail ♀ (Ποδαλείριος)

Description:

The Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) is a Palearctic swallowtail butterfly found in gardens, fields and open woodlands, and it is one of the commonest butterflies in Greece. The actual time of their appearance is in early April, when the largest numbers of the species are spotted, but throughout spring and summer they can be seen fluttering around, especially in mountain meadows and forest clearings. Although they are rather common, usually someone can not see the caterpillar or the pupa of the species due to their coloration. In this spotting a female Iphiclides podalirius is seen foraging on a nepeta plant, in Tsagarada village, Pelion mountain, Greece.