Scarce Swallowtail

Iphiclides podalirius

Description:

The Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) is a Palearctic swallowtail butterfly found in gardens, fields and open woodlands. First described by Linnaeus in 1758, it is found in places with sloe thickets and particularly orchards. It is also called Sail Swallowtail or Pear-tree Swallowtail. The Southern Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthamelii), is sometimes treated as a subspecies.

Habitat:

It is widespread throughout Europe with the exception of the northern parts. Found in gardens, fields and open woodlands, places with sloe thickets and particularly orchards.

2 Species ID Suggestions

Ashish 11 years ago

Scarce Swallowtail

Iphiclides podalirius Scarce Swallowtail

Ashish 11 years ago

Southern European Swallowtail

Iphiclides feisthamelii Iphiclides feisthamelii

16 Comments

pamsai 11 years ago

thanks Karin. That must have been a slip of the mouse!

KarenL 11 years ago

Nice spotting! I've moved it to Arthropods for you.

pamsai 11 years ago

thanks tmvdh...

tmvdh 11 years ago

Nice series!

Ashish Nimkar 11 years ago

Welcome Pamela... Your spotting is very fantastic and nicely presented this beautiful butterfly...!!

pamsai 11 years ago

thanks Ashish, I'll go with the Scarce Swallowtail i think...

pamsai 11 years ago

thanks OnengDyah for your comment...

OnengDyah 11 years ago

pretty...

pamsai 11 years ago

Thanks Jeanette, Heather, and Satyen for your comments.

pamsai 11 years ago

Ashish, I haven't seen one of these yet in India. I'll keep my eyes open when I get back!

Ashish Nimkar 11 years ago

This Genus is very alike Indian genus Graphium butterflies...

Wild Things 11 years ago

Beautiful series!

pamsai 11 years ago

thanks Ashish for the ID, and Heather for confirming it. Looks like the right one! Only saw one of these butterflies during a month in Spain, and it looked quite bedraggled.