This large butterfly is a strong flier and very impressive. It feeds on a wide variety of flowers and occurs in many different habitats; for example in Portugal I observed it in remote rural areas feeding on Mediterranean Thyme (Thymus capitata) as well as town centres feeding on Lantana. It is the only member of the Swallowtail family to occur in Britain, the subspecies britannicus being found in a few fens in Norfolk. It can be fairly common in continental Europe, where it can also be observed ‘hilltopping’.
Distribution: Most of Europe although absent from Ireland and much of Britain and Scandinavia.
Flight Period: April-September in the south in several broods; single-brooded during May-July in Britain.
Habitat: Found in a variety of habitats. In northern areas such Britain and Scandinavia is shows a preference for fens and damp places whereas in the Mediterranean it can turn up in almost any flowery area.
Foodplant: Umbellifers such as Milk Parsley (Peucedanum palustre), Wild Carrot (Daucus carota), Angelica (Angelica sylvestris), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), and hogweeds (Heracleum).
Nectar Sources: Feeds on a variety of flowers but Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis), thistles (Cirsium), thymes (Thymus) and lavenders (Lavandula) seem to be favourites.
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- European Swallowtail, Goreme, Turkey, August 2022
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- European Swallowtail, Querenca, Portugal, July 2016
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- European Swallowtail, Querenca, Portugal, July 2016
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- European Swallowtail, Zadar, Croatia, July 2018
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- Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare,
Hi,
Please could you advise me. Some years ago I found to my joy a eucalyptus plantation in Portugal where the Swallowtails thrive. So I bought it. They love the Shrubby gromwell groundcover and the flowers of the eucalyptus.
But now the local council have deemed my plantation a fire risk, and it must be felled by the end of this month.
Have you any suggestions as to replanting which will continue my microclimate which these butterflies love? Must be under 3m when mature and a fruit or nut tree!
Many thanks
Hi Niall,
Swallowtails are a fairly common species with little preference when it comes to habitat. Eucalyptus as you’ll know isn’t native to Portugal, so there will be many native alternatives which will be just as popular with the swallowtails! I would imagine that as long as you can create a similar lightly wooded/ scrubby habitat then you should still be able to attract them. One plant in particular that I would encourage you to plant if you can would be Fennel, which is used as a foodplant by the larvae. Popular native nectar sources include Mediterranean Thyme, Boar Thistle, Field Eryngo and other composite-type flowers. Hope this helps, Owen.
I was just telling my friend about that.