Iphiclides podalirius , the scarce swallowtail, is found in gardens, fields and open woodlands. It is found in places with sloe thickets and particularly orchards. It is widespread throughout Europe with the exception of the northern parts. Its range extends northwards to Saxony and central Poland and eastwards across Asia Minor and Transcaucasia as far as the Arabian Peninsula, India, and western China. The scarce swallowtail is getting rarer as due to loss of habitat and food plants. It is protected by law in some European countries. It is considered rare or endangered in some provinces of Austria and of indeterminate status throughout Europe.