Scarce Swallowtail - Iphiclides podalirius

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This and the two pictures below were taken in the Val d'Aran in July 2005

(note the second scarce swallowtail in the background)

Val d'Aran, July 1998

Val d'Aran, 1999

Switzerland, May 2003

Despite its name, which is due to its extreme scarcity in England (a very occasional migrant), the scarce swallowtail is not generally scarce in Europe. It is easily separated from the common swallowtail by the striking wedge-shaped dark markings on a very pale ground, and the longer tails.

In southern Europe you are likely to come across the scarce swallowtail quite frequently, in meadows and mountainsides especially. It is a strong flier and a wary insect, taking off just when you think you are about to get a photograph. The first one shown here was drinking at a puddle on a very hot day in July, and was remarkably obliging. The last was drunk on a particularly fruitfl nectar source

The first three pictures all show ssp. feisthameli. The last is ssp. podalirius. These two insects are considered separate species by some authorities.