Zebra Swallowtail vs Southern Festoon
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Zebra Swallowtail | Southern Festoon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eurytides marcellus | Zerynthia polyxena |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 64-100 mm wingspan | 46-56 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Heathland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Eastern United States | Southern and eastern Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (protected in many countries) |
Zebra Swallowtail
A pale greenish-white swallowtail with bold black stripes and very long hindwing tails. Its striking zebra-like pattern makes it one of the most recognizable North American butterflies.
Did You Know?
Spring-emerging individuals have shorter tails and darker markings than the larger, paler summer generation.
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.