Zerynthia cerisyi – Eastern Festoon

The Eastern festoon species is a daily butterfly (Lepidoptera) belonging to the family Papilionidae. It is widespread in dry and warm areas with shrubby vegetation, flower meadows and pastures, up to 1200 meters above sea level. The eggs are laid on the ventral side of the leaves of the plant Aristolochia sp., which is also the food for the larvae. They fly from April to May.

Zerynthia cerisyi is highly susceptible to pesticides and other adverse effects of agricultural activities. It is widespread in Macedonia, Albania, Greece and Bulgaria.

In the Galichica National Park, they could be seen on flowering grasslands up to 1000 meters above sea level.