Scarce Swallowtail

The Scarce Swallowtail caterpillar is stocky and green, with a body that tapers toward the rear. It features a pale dorsal line and red to yellow dots along its sides. In its first larval stage, the caterpillar is black with two white patches. Like its cousin the Swallowtail, when threatened, it deploys a small orange horn-shaped organ called the osmeterium, which releases an odor designed to repel predators.

Widespread across Europe, frequency varies by region. Up to 2700m.

Overwinters as a chrysalis.