Wingspan: 55–70 mm
Flight period: usually in two generations; the first from May to June, the second from August to September
Larval food plants: mainly blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), less frequently some other plants from the Rosaceae family (hawthorn, dog rose), sometimes fruit trees
The swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) has a body and wings similar to the swallowtail with a yellow color and a black pattern formed by longitudinal black lines. Unlike the swallowtail, the base color of the wings of the swallowtail is paler yellow. Females of this species are also larger and paler in color than the males. On the outer edge of the hindwings the swallowtail has black-bordered blue spots. At the end of the hindwings there are false eyes in black, blue and orange colors and a long tail – false antennae. The chunky caterpillar hides well among the dense twigs of the host plant.
Adult butterflies are excellent fliers, making good use of air currents and can cover considerable distances. They are attracted to lush flowering plants with abundant nectar. They occur in a variety of habitats. We can observe them in scrubby landscapes, on open grassy areas, at the edges of forests or on rocky slopes; often in hot and dry areas.
