Papilio nephelus sunatus

(Corbet, 1940)

Vernacular names
English : Black-and-white helen
French : Hélène noire et blanche

Classification
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Papilionidae
Notes : Up to 8 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to a wingspan of 12 cm. Black body with white dots on cephalothorax. Wings mostly deep black with large white spot on hindwing and row of white spots on far side of forewings. Underside with rows of white and yellow dots.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in Peninsular Malaysia. Species found from east India and south China to Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra and their satellite islands. Lives in primary, secondary and deciduous forests, up to 800 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species has a relatively large range but can be vulnerable to habitat loss, especially on islands and some populations could be endangered.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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