Zerynthia cretica, commonly known as the Cretan festoon, is a butterfly species endemic to the island of Crete, Greece. It inhabits warm Mediterranean environments, including rocky slopes, olive groves, valleys, and riverbeds from sea level to the mountains.
Adults emerge in a single generation each year and are most commonly observed during spring, from March to May. The wings display a striking pattern of pale yellow to cream coloration crossed by bold black bands and marked with distinctive red patches near the margins.
The larvae feed on birthwort plants (Aristolochia species). They accumulate aristolochic acids from their host plants.
• Κρητική Ζερύνθια
• Cretan festoon
• Festón cretense
Scientific classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Zerynthia
Species: Z. cretica
Synonym: Allancastria cretica
Armenoi, Crete, Greece
Camera: Canon EOS R7
Lens: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Capture Information:
Focal Length: 100.0 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/3200
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 100
Photo Taken: May 12, 2026
High resolution
Flickr Gallery