Abdominal segments fringed with white. There is very little variation, except between generations, the first being paler and lighter in colour. Populations from hot, arid areas are also paler than those from cooler and moister regions, and are referable to as f. orbatus . Her offspring over two years varied greatly in colouration and markings, depending on what temperature and humidity the developing pupae were kept at. Those kept cool and humid produced dark, well-marked, greyish adults with intense colours, identical to those from Turkey.
Most adults tend to emerge during the early morning or even at day-break.
The pair remain in copula for a few hours or until dusk. This may be an adaptation to the very cold nights which can occur in this part of central Asia. In northern Iran and northern Turkey, and at higher altitudes, during May and June as one generation. In Lebanon, between early June and mid-September in two overlapping generations. Similar to that of S. ocellatus and laid in similar locations.