Spanish Festoon
Zerynthia rumina
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
17
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zerynthia_rumina
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Papilionidae
Genus
Zerynthia
Spanish Festoon belongs to the family Papilionidae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Spanish Festoon faces severe population declines across its Mediterranean range due to habitat destruction from urban development, agricultural intensification, and infrastructure projects that fragment its specialized breeding areas. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns and increased drought frequency, while the species' dependence on specific host plants makes it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Mediterranean scrubland, rocky hillsides, and open woodlands with abundant Aristolochia host plants, typically found in calcareous soils at elevations from sea level to 1,500 meters. The species requires areas with good sun exposure and shelter from strong winds, often favoring south-facing slopes and valley bottoms.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Spanish Festoon faces severe population declines across its Mediterranean range due to habitat destruction from urban development, agricultural intensification, and infrastructure projects that fragment its specialized breeding areas. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns and increased drought frequency, while the species' dependence on specific host plants makes it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.
Agricultural intensification and land use changes
Climate change and increased drought
Habitat loss and fragmentation from urbanization
Loss of host plant populations (Aristolochia species)
Infrastructure development fragmenting populations
Found in 17 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/spanish-festoon