The Scarce Swallowtail is a widespread and often common species across southern Europe.

In Bulgaria it is also generally common and widespread occuring in lower lying regions and up to moderate altitudes. It is rather more frequently encountered than the Swallowtail (Papilio machaon).

In some years Scarce Swallowtails seem to be especially common and on some tours we have seen this species at almost every site we have visited.  It can be found puddling in groups (sometimes quite large groups), on damp mud or sand by streams and rivers as some of the photos here show.

Like the Swallowtail several may be seen together hill-topping on the summits of lower hills.