CYPRUS FLORA AND FAUNA

BUTTERFLY - CATERPILLAR Zerynthia cerisy cypria Zerynthia cerisy (Godart, 1824) is a large butterfly with a wingspan of 4.5-6.5 cm, and belongs to the Papilionidae family. It is found in Southeast Europe and the Middle East. In Cyprus we find the subspecies Zerynthia cerisyi cypria (Stichel, 1907), which is considered endemic to the island. It appears early in spring and flies until June. The butterflies lay their eggs on the plant Aristolochia sempervirens . The caterpillar feeds on fresh leaves and flowers and completes its development by July, where it is transformed to nymph (chrysalis) and spends the winter season in this form until next spring.