Southern Festoon

A rare diurnal representative of the Swallowtail family, it has a wingspan of up to 55 mm, with multicolored wings having wavy macerations in the margins. The Southern Festoon's habitat consists of rocky-steppe territories, the edges of vineyards, and dry meadows. In the Czech Republic, adult specimens can only be observed in South Moravia, from the end of April until the end of May. The butterfly lives for no more than three weeks, with its existence being in peril because of the widespread use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides. The Festoon is a critically endangered species.