This species is the first of a group of red-banded Burnets from the Mediterranean coasts which have only 3 red spots on the forewing: the anterior and the posterior wedge-spots and a small, rounded, drop-like spot corresponding to the distal portion of the central streak.

— In the name-typical form, the small sarpedon Hbn., the colour is pale, but distinctly red; hindwing with a vitreous streak from the base to the middle.

is a little larger; the wings are entirely limpid, the red spots of the forewing being only feebly marked, while the hindwing is almost entirely transparent; Balearic Is., perhaps occasionally also among the previous.

is considerably larger and more densely scaled than the 2 previous; hindwing beautifully red, narrowly edged with black.

carmencita Oberthür, 1910 ], from the Pyrenees, has the forewing as in balearica, but the hindwing is black, with two red streaks, one each in and below cell.

— Besides these (partly) geographical forms two aberrations have received names, the light yellow one: ab.