The Cretan endemic butterfly Zerynthia cretica
The species uses impressive defense mechanisms of predation
The caterpillar is poisonous to birds
Zerynthia cretica, known as Cretan festoon, is a Cretan endemic butterfly of the family Papilionidae. The butterfly is widespread and common across Crete, flying in a variety of habitats at altitudes 0-1600 m from March to June.
The species uses impressive defense mechanisms of predation. The caterpillar is poisonous to birds because it consumes the toxic compound aristolochic acid from the leaves of plants of the genus Aristolochia. In addition, yellow, black and red coloration of adults’ wings warn enemies that the butterfly is poisonous.
You can obtain more information and photographs about this spectacular endemic butterfly of the island on the website Butterflies of Crete.
Kalliopi Borboudaki, Chemical Engineer MSc, creator of the website https://butterfliesofcrete.com.
The fauna of Crete
Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus Barbatus)
Griffon Vulture (Gyps Fulvus)
Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)
Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata) (Hieraaetus fasciatus)
Eleonora's Falcon
The European Rabbit or Coney
Giorgalidiko: Domestic Horse, North-western European Horse
The Cretan Badger
Golden Eagle (Aquila Chrysaetos)
Mute Swan
Cretan wildcat
Butterflies and Moths of the island
Cretan Tracker: Europe's Oldest Hound, a Gift from Zeus
Cretan shrew
Kri-kri, the Cretan Wild Goat (Capra aegagrus cretica)
Least Weasel
Bats
European Fat/Edible Dormouse
The Balkan Terrapin or Western Caspian Terrapin (Mauremys Rivulata)
Cat Snake
Balkan Whip Snake
Marginated Tortoise (Testudo marginata)
Greek turtle
Water Snake
European Ratsnake or Leopard Snake
The Bullfrog
The European Green Toad
Common Kingfisher
Caretta Caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle)
Coleoptera
Fossil Vertebrates of Crete
Hippopotamus creutzburgi
Athene cretensis
Elephas chaniensis
Endemic Pleistocene mammals
Deinotherium giganteum