Graphium megarus

Spotted Zebra
Pathysa megarus megapenthes.Museum specimen.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Graphium
Subgenus: Pathysa
Species: P. megarus
Binomial name
Pathysa megarus
Westwood, 1841
Synonyms
  • Graphium megarus
  • Papilio megarus
  • Paranticopsis megarus

The Spotted Zebra (Graphium megarus) is a species of swallowtail butterfly found in Southeast Asia. It is common and not considered to be threatened; however, the nominate subspecies is protected by law in India.[1]

Description

Male upperside black with the following white streaks and spots— Fore wing cell with a small spot at base followed by three obliquely transverse streaks in middle, none extended to either the subcostal or median veins, and two spots near apex; single slender narrow streaks in interspaces la and 2, and two streaks in interspace 1; above these a spot at base followed by a streak in each of the interspaces 3, 4, 6 and 8, an outer spot only in interspace 5, and a basal spot in interspace 7; finally, a complete series of small subterminal spots. Hind wing: a streak in cell with a spot above its outer apex; a streak followed by a spot in each of the interspaces 1, 6 and 7; three elongate spots in interspaces 2 and 3 and two in interspaces 4 and 5; finally, a series of four slender subterminal lunules in interspaces 2 to 5. Underside similar, with similar but slightly broader markings. Female similar, ground-colour duller, more fuliginous black; markings similar, on the fore wing slightly broader, on the hind wing slightly narrower, than in the male.[2]

Subspecies

References

  1. ↑ Collins, N.M., Morris, M.G. (1985) Threatened Swallowtail Butterflies of the World. IUCN. ISBN 2-88032-603-6 pdf
  2. ↑ Bingham, C. T. (1907) Fauna of British India. Butterflies. Volume 2.

See also

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