# Scarce Swallowtail (*Iphiclides podalirius*) The Scarce Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with long tails on its wings. It flutters gracefully in gardens and fields, showing off its yellow and black colors. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Scarce Swallowtail](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Iphiclides_podalirius.jpg&width=800) Photo: Tbc, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iphiclides_podalirius.jpg) ## Appearance The Scarce Swallowtail is a striking butterfly with creamy white or pale yellow wings marked by bold black zebra-like stripes. Its hindwings feature distinctive long, slender 'tails' and often sport blue and red eye-spots near the bottom edge. These features help it stand out from other pale butterflies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Papilionidae - **Genus:** Iphiclides ## Interesting facts - Despite its name, it's widespread across Europe, just picky about its home! - In warm places, it can have two or three new generations each year! - Its caterpillar looks like a green slug before it transforms into a butterfly! - Its chrysalis can be green or brown, perfectly hiding itself on branches! ## Special abilities - **Quick Getaway:** Scarce Swallowtail has strong, agile wings that help them quickly dart away from predators. - **Nectar Reach:** Scarce Swallowtail has a long, coiled proboscis to reach deep nectar from various flowers. - **Host Plant Hunter:** Female Scarce Swallowtails can sniff out specific fruit trees to lay their eggs on, ensuring their caterpillars have food. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 60-80 mm - **Size:** 40-60 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-25 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult butterflies sip flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on leaves. - **Age differences:** As a caterpillar, it eats leaves; as an adult, it drinks nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Blackthorn leaves, Hawthorn leaves, Peach leaves, Almond leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Blackthorn](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blackthorn) (*Prunus spinosa*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. - **Eats:** Common Hawthorn (*Crataegus monogyna*) — Larvae eat the leaves. - **Pollinates:** [Peach Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/peach-tree) (*Prunus persica*) — Adults visit flowers for nectar. - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Blue Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-blue-tit) (*Cyanistes caeruleus*) — Birds may prey on adults. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [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. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [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 creatures. Enjoy watching them, but don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify 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 Scarce Swallowtail's wingspan? 60-80 mm ### How big is Scarce Swallowtail? 40-60 mm ### How long does Scarce Swallowtail live? 10-25 days ### How fast can Scarce Swallowtail fly? 15 km/h ### What does Scarce Swallowtail eat? Adult butterflies sip flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on leaves. ### Where is Scarce Swallowtail usually found? Grasslands ### How does 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: [Scarce Swallowtail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scarce-swallowtail)