The
Southern and
Spanish festoons are butterflies found in southern and south-eastern
Europe, the Southern penetrating even to the central parts. The species was first described near
Vienna. From the total of about twenty geographical races described, the best known is the cassandra
Hubner ssp. from the south-western part of the
Southern Festoon's distribution. The butterfly is not shy, and flutters close to the ground. It often rests on flowers and grass stalks. The caterpillar is many-coloured. Its development takes about 4-5 weeks. It feeds on different species of
Aristolochia. The chrysalis is brownish and rather stick-like.
The Spanish Festoon occurs especially in the western Mediterranean regions. Its distribution area extends from Briancon, along the Riviera as far as Spain and Portugal. It is also native in North Africa, where the ssp. ornatior Blach. was described. Hilly regions and the maritime mountains are the most usual places where it occurs.