Scarce Swallowtail

About the Scarce Swallowtail

A pale yellow swallowtail with black tiger stripes and long tails, famous for its graceful gliding flight. Despite its name it is common across much of southern and central Europe. It was named scarce because it is only a very rare visitor to Britain. Caterpillars feed on blackthorn and fruit trees such as plum and cherry. Males gather on hilltops to wait for females.