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Spanish Festoon

Zerynthia rumina (caterpillars on Aristolochia baetica)

Photo by craigwilliams
Published on Project Noah
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36.8792, -2.00912

Field Notes

Description:

The caterpillars only feed on a few species of Dutchman's Pipe vines (Aristolochia). Alkaloids in the vines are poisonous to most other things, which makes the caterpillars unpalatable to predators. 2nd photo shows an early instar in an inflorescence, third is a more mature instar.

Habitat:

Dry river beds

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
craigwilliams
Thanks Marta. I don't know if you could call the caterpillars pretty but it's some transformation!
HeatherMiller
I love this series from caterpillar to instar to adult. Great documentation. Thanks for sharing.
Dan Doucette
No problem. Yeah, that happens sometimes, all the photos don't load when you save the spotting. Also it seems like it accepts the location but it sometimes changes after you save it. Just a few things to check on after you save.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
Flowers of Europe
Mission
Biodiversidad en España/Spain
Photographed
PublishedOctober 16, 2011

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