Subspecies include the following:[1] This species can be found from Germany to Croatia and Italy, and from Spain to Austria and Slovenia.

Though the form astragali extends beyond 50° latitude, being still common near Mombach (Mainz), Darmstadt, etc.

Southern Europe, especially Italy, must be considered the principal locality of the species, the forms here flying occurring from May to July in really surprising numbers; maritima flies in great abundance even in dull weather and till nightfall on the southern slopes of the Riviera, near Genoa, Pegli, Savona, etc., transalpina being likewise very common in the southern valleys of the Alps of Ticino, extending into the North Italian plains.

The hind wings are carmine red, with a black-blue border and a slightly darker fringe.

Very highly coloured: metallic black-blue or -green, with 6 small, widely separated, somewhat black-edged spots.

xanthographa Germar, [1836] ] is similar to boisduvali, but the hindwing is all black, being without the yellow central spot.

[now subspecies] is of magnificent vermilion colour, with 6 large spots on the forewing and a narrow marginal band to the hindwing.

This is the northern form, which occurs in France, South and Central Germany, and Belgium, being said (probably erroneously) to extend as far as Sweden.

[now subspecies] is founded on a small specimen from La Rochelle in which the spots of the upperside are also confluent.

[ now subspecies] is, like the name-typical form, very bright red, but the black margin of the hindwing is wider and more sinuate; the (6) spots of the forewing below are not confluent; Riviera.

They can be distinguished by the color of the apex of the antennae (whitish and sharper in Z. transalpina, black in Z.

They likewise simulate death when suddenly touched, but revive soon and whiz quickly away, the flight being fast.

It is an aposematic species because its warning colors signal it as toxic to predators such as birds and lizards.

The larvae feed on the leaves of Hippocrepis comosa and sometimes Coronilla varia and Lotus corniculatus.