www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

This is a blast from the past in many ways for me. I've just finished scanning 6000+ slides and inevitably the task is raising a few (?) questions ...
All I have in my database for this butterfly is that I took the shot in summer 1990 in Luxembourg. I can't remember whether it was free flying or in a butterfly house but I think it's a very attractive specimen - can anyone identify it for me please?

Hi Dragnil.

This looks like a male Scarlet Swallowtail (Papilio rumanzovia) - I think I can see a small patch of red below the right hindwing eyespot. It's a fairly common butterfly house species.

The following may help:

viewtopic.php?f=29&t=5432&p=55840&hilit=wisley#p55840
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=5432&p=56247&hilit=wisley#p56247

This group can be difficult to identify and it is highly likely that all subspecies, forms and variations will interbreed, especially in captivity.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

Thanks, Mark, that's very helpful which I must say is more than you can say for the name - scarlet indeed! I think it must have been in a butterfly house. Thanks again.