Graphium aristeus

Graphium aristeus, the chain swordtail, is a butterfly in the family Papilionidae (swallowtails). It is found in the Indomalaya ecozone. The Indian subspecies G. a. anticrates is protected by law in India. It is found in Sikkim, Bhutan, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Assam.

Description


Males and female (below) of G. a. anticrates
For a key to the terms used, see Glossary of Lepidopteran terms.
The first description was given by Caspar Stoll in 1782.

The forewings are yellowish. The outer part of the wing is dark brown and contains a thin yellow strip. Four dark brown stripes dominate the wing. Next to the body there is a dark brown area. The underside of Graphium aristeus is very similar to the upperside.

The hindwings are yellowish and they have long tails. The edge is wavy. The outer part of the wing is dark brown and contains a chain of yellow spots. The inner edge is dark brown. In the middle of the wing there is a dark brown strip. The underside is very similar to the upperside, but a chain of red spots dominates the wing.

The body is black. The thorax and the head are also black. The underside of all parts is yellow.

Distribution

Graphium aristeus is a butterfly from the Australasian and Indomalayan ecozones. It is also widely distributed in New Guinea.

Papua localities: Salawati: Salawati Mountains; Biak: Wardo; New Guinea: Akimuga (Kampong Baru & Fafafuku), Beaufortbivak, Dabra (Mamberamo), East Tami, Homasam, Kobakama, Kopi River (Timika), Kuala Kenkana (Timika), Van Weels Camp (Keerom), Wendesi, Werba (Fakfak)

External distribution: Northern India, Sikkim to South China, Philippines and Indonesia, New Guinea, Queensland, New Britain, New Ireland and Manus.

Subspecies

Graphium aristeus aristeus Ambon, Serang
Graphium aristeus anticrates (Doubleday, 1846) North India, Nepal, Sikkim, Assam
Graphium aristeus hermocrates (C. & R. Felder, 1865) Burma - Thailand, Timor, Wetar, Damar, Philippines (Balabac, Basilan, Bohol, Bongao, Busuanga, Cebu, Dinagar, Dumaran, Leyte, Luzon, Marnduque, Masbate, Mindanao, Mindoro, Negros, Palawan, Panaon, Panay, Samar, Sibuyan, Siquijor, Tawitawi)
Graphium aristeus hainanensis (Chou & Gu, 1994) Hainan
Graphium aristeus parmatus (Gray, ) Aru, Waigeu, W.Irian, New Guinea, Papua, North Queensland
Graphium aristeus paron (Godman & Salvin, 1879) New Britain, New Ireland
Graphium aristeus bifax (Rothschild, 1898) Obi

source - Wikipedia

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