Southern Festoon vs Pine-tree Lappet
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Southern Festoon | Pine-tree Lappet |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Zerynthia polyxena | Dendrolimus pini |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Lasiocampidae |
| Size | 46-56 mm wingspan | 50-80 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Heathland | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Southern and eastern Europe | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern (protected in many countries) | Least Concern |
Southern Festoon
A strikingly patterned butterfly with yellow wings marked with black zigzags and red spots. It is one of Europe's earliest spring butterflies and resembles a small, ornate kite.
Did You Know?
Its larvae sequester toxic aristolochic acids from their food plant, making all life stages unpalatable to birds.
Pine-tree Lappet
A large moth that can be a devastating forest pest, with caterpillars capable of completely defoliating pine forests across Eurasia. Major outbreaks are cyclical and can last several years.
Did You Know?
During outbreak years, caterpillars can strip entire pine forests bare, causing economic losses of millions of dollars.