Atrophaneura horishana explained

Atrophaneura horishana, the aurora swallowtail, is a species of butterfly from the family Papilionidae that is found in Taiwan.^[1]

The wingspan is 110–130 mm. The wings are black. The body has red hairs. There is a large red patch on the underside of each hindwing. The wing veins are bordered in white.^{[2] [3]}

Biology

Adults visit flowers. The eggs are yellow and spherical. The larvae have prominent tubercles, a whitish black ground colour and two white bands on the third and fourth abdominal segments. The larvae feed on species of Aristolochia - A. shimadai and A. liukiuensis.^[4] It is in general found at 1000–2500 m in elevation and is only abundant in primary forests.

Status

Common, but status should be monitored.^[5]

Taxonomy

Has been ranked as a subspecies of Atrophaneura nox.

External links

• Image representing Atrophaneura horishana at EOL
• Global Butterfly Information System text and images including holotype of sauteri Heyne, 1913

Notes and References

1. Shirozu, T. (1960). Butterflies of Formosa in Colour. Hoikusha. Osaka, Japan (in Japanese). 483 pp.
2. http://en.butterflycorner.net/Atrophaneura-horishana.1012.0.html ButterflyCorner.net
3. http://subject.forest.gov.tw/books/book_03e/insect_84.htm Illustrated Identification Guide to Insects Protected by the CITES and Wildlife Conservation Law of Taiwan, R.O.C
4. http://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/papilionoidea/papilionidae/papilioninae/atrophaneura/index.html Atrophaneura at Funet
5. Book: Collins . N. Mark . Morris . Michael G. . Threatened Swallowtail Butterflies of the World: The IUCN Red Data Book . 1985 . . Gland & Cambridge . 978-2-88032-603-6 . Biodiversity Heritage Library.