Papilio thaiwanus

(Rothschild, 1898)

Vernacular names
English : Taiwan swallowtail
French : Porte-queue de Taiwan

Classification
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Papilionidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species can reach up to 12 cm in wingspan. Elongated hindwings with ragged edges. Males are black with strong iridescent dark blue tinge and a single red circle on hindwing. Females have half of hindwing bright red with black spots.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in eastern Asia and is endemic to the island of Taiwan. Lives in primary, secondary and deciduous forests.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is endemic to a single island, making it vulnerable to habitat loss. It is found mostly in protected areas and remains locally common.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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