Species profile
About this species
The Southern Festoon is a striking butterfly found across southern Europe & western Asia, known for its intricate patterning of red, yellow & black on its wings. It is a member of the Papilionidae family & is closely associated with its larval host plant, birthwort (Aristolochia species). The species is generally small to medium in size & exhibits a slow, fluttering flight close to the ground.
Warm, sheltered grasslands, scrubby hillsides & woodland edges in southern Europe, particularly where the host plant birthwort (Aristolochia) grows in abundance, often on calcareous soils.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Southern Festoon with us in Bulgaria.
These departures are part of our Europe programme.
In the field, Pui Hang Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Spring is the best season, typically from late March to May, as the Southern Festoon has a single annual flight period. Warm, sunny mornings between 9am & midday are ideal, when the butterfly is most active & likely to be basking with wings open.
Approach slowly & remain low to the ground to capture the butterfly at eye level, as it tends to rest on low vegetation. Use a macro lens to highlight the intricate wing patterning & aim for a shallow depth of field to separate the subject from the background. Visit areas with dense patches of birthwort where the species congregates, as this increases the chance of finding multiple individuals in a single location.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Southern Festoon
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.