Spanish Festoon vs Dainty Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spanish Festoon Dainty Swallowtail
Scientific Name Zerynthia rumina Papilio anactus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Papilionidae
Size 42-52 mm wingspan 60-80 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Orchards
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Southern Europe Australia, Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spanish Festoon

A brightly patterned butterfly with zigzag black markings and red and yellow patches on its wings. It is a spring-flying species restricted to the western Mediterranean.

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Did You Know?

Its caterpillar feeds on toxic birthwort plants, making both larva and adult distasteful to birds.

Dainty Swallowtail

A small, elegant swallowtail butterfly that is the most widespread Papilio species in Australia. It has black wings with rows of pale cream spots and subtle blue markings on the hindwings.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most swallowtails, the Dainty Swallowtail is well adapted to arid inland environments and even deserts.