Zerynthia rumina

Peter Rowlings

Azrou, Middle Atlas, May 1998

ssp. africana with bolder markings than the European subspecies and less red in the cell of the forewings

Var, France, May 2005

Var, France, May 2005

Spanish Festoon, Z. rumina
Extensive red on forewing, no blue on hindwing.

Southern Festoon, Z. polxena
Very little or no red on forewing, blue on hindwing outside the red marks.

Spanish Festoon
Zerynthia rumina

Distribution: North Africa, Iberian peninsular and S France.

Identification: This species can only be confused with the similar Southern Festoon, Z. polyxena. The range of the two species overlaps only in SE France. There are a number of differences, chief amongst them are:
- presence of blue on the hindwing of the Southern Festoon, polyxena.
- presence of extensive red on the forewing of the Spanish Festoon, rumina.

Flight time: Generally April and May although old specimens can be found occasionally in June. I received a fabulous photograph of a very fresh butterfly taken in September from a correspondent in S Spain so there appears to be the possibility of a very small second brood.

Habitat: Flies in hills upto 2100m in N Africa but only to around 1000m in France. I've generally found it on grassland in scrubby areas, sometimes bordering habitation or cultivation. It does share some habitats with its close relative the Southern Festoon,
Z. polyxena in southern France. I found them both at one site in Var. Larvae take Aristolochiae (Birthworts).

Behaviour: Flight is fairly direct and gliding but not strong. Flies gently above the grasses, sometimes stopping frequently for nectar or for a rest low down on the leaves or twigs of a bush or tree or on warm rocks or bare earth.

Additional notes: The "dazzle" colour scheme completely breaks up the food-ness of this insect. It must be quite tricky for any potential predator to decide which part to attack!