- Family: Papilionidae
- Scientific name: Zerynthia rumina
- English common name: Spanish Festoon
- Spanish common name: Arlequín
- Portuguese common name: Borboleta Carnaval
The Spanish Festoon – Zerynthia rumina – Arlequín is a medium sized butterfly that often flies at low levels among grasses. The main colour is yellow with an attractive pattern of black with large red spots over the upper wings. The under wings have an intricate design, including a wavy line of black and red on an off-white background colour.
The caterpillars of this species are up to 3.5cm long. The colour can vary greatly from yellow to brown, covered in spines that are often orange.
- Wing size: 44-46mm
- Altitude: Sea level to1500m
- Flight time: March-May
- Over-wintering: Chrysalis
- Caterpillar food plant: Aristolochia species
- Distribution: Iberia, Southern France, North Africa
Similar species: Not in Iberia (Southern France has Southern Festoon (Zerynthia polyxena)
Butterflies of Iberia
These are included in the list of butterflies in Andalusia.
Images taken by Sue Eatock in Grazalema, Southern Spain.
Clive Muir – Wildside Holidays – Walking, wildlife and culture holidays in Spain
I’ve been living in western Andalucía for more than 20 years and spend much of my time researching and running English-language travel websites about Spain. My work covers destinations including Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema and the Caminito del Rey, as well as Wildside Holidays, which focuses on walking, wildlife and nature travel in Spain.
Through Wildside Holidays, I share practical information about Spain’s natural parks, mountains, wildlife and walking destinations, drawing on many years of living and travelling in the country. The aim is to help visitors discover Spain’s natural landscapes responsibly and plan rewarding walking and wildlife experiences.