13-10-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SCARCE SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY (Iphiclides podalirius)

Iphiclides feisthamelii, the southern scarce swallowtail, southern swallowtail or Iberian scarce swallowtail, is a butterfly found in Italy, Slovenia, southern France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of I. podalirius.

The larva feeds on Prunus amygdalus (almond), P. persica (peach), P. insititia (a kind of plum), P. longipes, Pyrus communis (common pear), Malus domesticus (apple) and Crataegus oxyacantha.

After many years being considered a subspecies of the scarce swallowtail I. podalirius this taxon can now be accepted as a full species.

Identification & Similar species: Compared to the scarce swallowtail I. podalirius, this species has a white/ grey-white rather than yellowish ground colour, but sometimes with faint yellow in the female. Markings are also darker, at least in the spring brood. The differences are subtle...

Genetalia are reportedly slightly different and there is some differentiation in mitochondrial DNA.

Distribution & Flight: North Africa, Spain and southwest France. There may be overlap with the scarce swallowtail I. podalirius in some areas particularly as these are mobile butterflies. Flies from March or April to the end of summer in multiple broods.

Habitat & Behaviour: Diverse habitats: scrub, meadows, parks, gardens, coasts to mountains.

This is a most majestic butterfly, huge and floating effortlessly. It is not, as its English name implies, scarce, and in my experience it is much more common than the Swallowtail (Papilio machaon). I believe the English name originates from the early English lepidopterists and refers to its scarcity as a rare vagrant to the UK in the 1800s or thereabouts.

The previously-considered subspecies feisthamelii (English name: Iberian Scarce Swallowtail or Spanish Swallowtail) is now classified as a separate species. It is principally an Iberian species with distribution "spilling" into the eastern Pyrénées of France (http://diatheo.weebly.com/iphiclides-feisthamelii.html). It differs from podalirius in that it is noticeably paler, white in the male, and pale yellow in the female.

25-9-2017 DENIA COAST, ALICANTE - SCARCE SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY (Iphiclides podalirius)

15-6-2017 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - SCARCE SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY (Iphiclides podalirius)

23-8-2016 ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS, MADRID - SCARCE SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY (Iphiclides podalirius)

Iphiclides feisthamelii, the southern scarce swallowtail, southern swallowtail or Iberian scarce swallowtail, is a butterfly found in Italy, Slovenia, southern France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of I. podalirius.

The larva feeds on Prunus amygdalus (almond), P. persica (peach), P. insititia (a kind of plum), P. longipes, Pyrus communis (common pear), Malus domesticus (apple) and Crataegus oxyacantha.

This species is often considered merely a subspecies of the scarce swallowtail, though recent authors are increasingly counting it a separate species. Its distribution is restricted to the Iberian peninsula south of the Pyrenees. It is very similar to the scarce swallowtail but usually a more papery white, with noticeably more kite-shaped wings and a more distinct yellow line along the costa of the forewing. Another useful but not 100% diagnostic feature is the third bar from the wing base on the forewing, which is typically blunt on the vein, not tapered to a point.

Iberian scarce swallowtails may be seen very early in the year. The first pictures on this page were taken in February in Málaga, where the species was hilltopping along with many other butterflies. They fly throughout the year in two or three broods, hibernating as pupae.

After many years being considered a subspecies of the scarce swallowtail I. podalirius this taxon can now be accepted as a full species.

Identification & Similar species: Compared to the scarce swallowtail I. podalirius, this species has a white/ grey-white rather than yellowish ground colour, but sometimes with faint yellow in the female. Markings are also darker, at least in the spring brood. The differences are subtle...

Genetalia are reportedly slightly different and there is some differentiation in mitochondrial DNA.

Distribution & Flight: North Africa, Spain and southwest France. There may be overlap with the scarce swallowtail I. podalirius in some areas particularly as these are mobile butterflies. Flies from March or April to the end of summer in multiple broods.

Habitat & Behaviour: Diverse habitats: scrub, meadows, parks, gardens, coasts to mountains.

9-6-2016 CULLA, VALENCIA - SCARCE SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY (Iphiclides podalirius)

Iphiclides feisthamelii, the southern scarce swallowtail, southern swallowtail or Iberian scarce swallowtail, is a butterfly found in Italy, Slovenia, southern France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of I. podalirius.

The larva feeds on Prunus amygdalus (almond), P. persica (peach), P. insititia (a kind of plum), P. longipes, Pyrus communis (common pear), Malus domesticus (apple) and Crataegus oxyacantha.

This species is often considered merely a subspecies of the scarce swallowtail, though recent authors are increasingly counting it a separate species. Its distribution is restricted to the Iberian peninsula south of the Pyrenees. It is very similar to the scarce swallowtail but usually a more papery white, with noticeably more kite-shaped wings and a more distinct yellow line along the costa of the forewing. Another useful but not 100% diagnostic feature is the third bar from the wing base on the forewing, which is typically blunt on the vein, not tapered to a point.

Iberian scarce swallowtails may be seen very early in the year. The first pictures on this page were taken in February in Málaga, where the species was hilltopping along with many other butterflies. They fly throughout the year in two or three broods, hibernating as pupae.

After many years being considered a subspecies of the scarce swallowtail I. podalirius this taxon can now be accepted as a full species.

Identification & Similar species: Compared to the scarce swallowtail I. podalirius, this species has a white/ grey-white rather than yellowish ground colour, but sometimes with faint yellow in the female. Markings are also darker, at least in the spring brood. The differences are subtle...

Genetalia are reportedly slightly different and there is some differentiation in mitochondrial DNA.

Distribution & Flight: North Africa, Spain and southwest France. There may be overlap with the scarce swallowtail I. podalirius in some areas particularly as these are mobile butterflies. Flies from March or April to the end of summer in multiple broods.

Habitat & Behaviour: Diverse habitats: scrub, meadows, parks, gardens, coasts to mountains.