# Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (*Iphiclides feisthamelii*) The Iberian Scarce Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with striking yellow and black stripes. It flutters gracefully in gardens and meadows, bringing joy to anyone who sees it! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Iberian Scarce Swallowtail](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Iphiclides_feisthamelii_male.jpg&width=800) Photo: www.invertebradosdehuesca.com, CC BY 3.0 es · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iphiclides_feisthamelii_male.jpg) ## Appearance The Iberian Scarce Swallowtail has striking pale yellow wings marked with bold black stripes, including distinctive tiger-like patterns. Its hindwings feature long, slender tails and a vibrant blue 'eyelid' spot outlined in black and orange, making it easily distinguishable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Papilionidae - **Genus:** Iphiclides ## Interesting facts - It changes completely, from a tiny egg to a caterpillar, then a chrysalis! - Its scientific name, Iphiclides feisthamelii, honors a French entomologist. - The caterpillars mimic bird droppings to hide from hungry predators! - This butterfly can have two or three generations in just one year! ## Special abilities - **Nectar Siphon:** Iberian Scarce Swallowtail can drink nectar with a long proboscis that helps them reach deep inside flowers for sugary fuel. - **Agile Wing Rider:** Iberian Scarce Swallowtail has strong, broad wings that help them navigate landscapes and escape predators with quick, erratic movements. - **Leaf Chemosensor:** Iberian Scarce Swallowtail can lay eggs precisely on specific host plants because of chemoreceptors on its legs that detect the right leaves. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 60-80 mm - **Size:** 25-40 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars munch on the leaves of specific trees and shrubs. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat leaves of trees and shrubs, while adults only drink nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Rubus fruticosus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus persica - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Blackthorn](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blackthorn) (*Prunus spinosa*) — Larvae feed exclusively on its leaves to grow and develop. - **Depends on:** Peach (*Prunus persica*) — Caterpillars munch on its leaves, sometimes found in orchards. - **Pollinates:** Common Blackberry (*Rubus fruticosus*) — Adults visit its flowers, sipping nectar and spreading pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Blue Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-blue-tit) (*Cyanistes caeruleus*) — Adult butterflies can become a meal for hungry insectivorous birds. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Butterflies are gentle and safe to watch, but don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Iberian Scarce Swallowtail? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Iberian Scarce Swallowtail's wingspan? 60-80 mm ### How big is Iberian Scarce Swallowtail? 25-40 mm ### How long does Iberian Scarce Swallowtail live? 10-30 days ### How fast can Iberian Scarce Swallowtail fly? 15 km/h ### What does Iberian Scarce Swallowtail eat? Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars munch on the leaves of specific trees and shrubs. ### Where is Iberian Scarce Swallowtail usually found? Grasslands ### How does Iberian Scarce Swallowtail hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Iberian Scarce Swallowtail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/iberian-scarce-swallowtail)