- 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.
The Grazalema Guide
The best way to see all our web projects in one place is over at the Grazalema Guide.
The Grazalema Guide – Tourist Information Portal for the Sierra de Grazalema, Wildside Holidays, the town of Ronda and the Caminito del Rey.