Southern swallowtail butterfly discovered in southern Italy

Citizen science efforts have led to the discovery of the protected southern swallowtail butterfly (Papilio alexanor) in southern Italy, specifically in the Campania and Basilicata regions. Previously, breeding populations of this species were only documented in the northern parts of the country.

The discovery was facilitated by sightings uploaded to biodiversity platforms. In May 2023, a biologist recorded a female in Basilicata via iNaturalist, followed by a photograph from a tourist in Campania a year later. This finding confirms long-standing questions among entomologists regarding the species' presence in these southern territories. The Papilio alexanor is classified as ‘Near Threatened’ on the European Red List of Butterflies and is strictly protected under the European Habitats Directive.