Papilio epiphorbas

Papilio epiphorbas is a simple butterfly from Afrotropic ecozone (Africa). The first description was in 1833 by Boisduval. With a wingspan of 8.0 – 10.0 cm Papilio epiphorbas is a small member of the family PAPILIONIDAE. The butterfly is black with green spots and areas on wing. Hind wings have short tails.

Photos for easy identification

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

These are nice photos of Papilio epiphorbas. Papilio epiphorbas is a member of the family PAPILIONIDAE from Afrotropic ecozone (Africa).

Description

The forewings are black. In the pinion there are two isolated green spots. At the wing leading edge there are a green spot and a short green band.
The underside is dark brown.

The hind wings are black and have short tails. The margin is ridged. At the margin there is a chains of green spots. There is a broad green area on wing.
The underside is brown. At the margin there is a chain of tiny golden spots, but three of this spots are small. At the inner edge there is a golden eye.

The body is black, but the underside is brown.

Sex differences: The female is lighter than male. The underside of female is dark brown and marmorate. The green areas are not so bright and on hind wings there are more green spots.

Macro photographs

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 09.09.2006, macro photograph of Papilio epiphorbas (upside)

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 09.09.2006, macro photograph of Papilio epiphorbas (upside)

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 09.09.2006, macro photograph of Papilio epiphorbas (underside)

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 09.09.2006, macro photograph of Papilio epiphorbas (underside)

Here you can see some macro photographs of Papilio epiphorbas.

Distribution

Papilio epiphorbas is a butterfly of the Afrotropic ecozone (Africa). The distribution is restricted to Madagascar.

: This world map shows the ecozones in which this butterfly is distributed.

Larval food

---

General information

The first description of this butterfly was in 1833 by Boisduval. There are no subspecies.
There are many similar species.

Protection provisions / Red List

CITES: (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora):

-no entry- (as at 23.06.2005)
EU regulation on trading with species of wild Fauna and Flora

-no entry- (as at 19.08.2005)
IUCN Red List of threatened species:

-no entry- (as at 2004) (see: www.redlist.org/)