Graphium taboranus explained

Graphium taboranus is a butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It is found in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, and northern Zambia.^[1] The habitat consists of woodland.

Description

Diagnostic.The markings of the upper surface snow-white; the discal band in cellule 2 of the forewing is smaller, not reaching the base of the cellule and is quite free; the white subdiscal spots of the hindwing above are almost in the middle of the marginal band. Nyassaland and German East Africa.^[2] External images from Royal Museum of Central Africa.

Biology

The larvae feed on Annona species.

Taxonomy

Graphium taboranus belongs to a clade with six members. All have similar genitaliaThe clade members are:

• Graphium angolanus (Goeze, 1779)
• Graphium endochus (Boisduval, 1836)
• Graphium morania (Angas, 1849)
• Graphium taboranus (Oberthür, 1886)
• Graphium schaffgotschi (Niepelt, 1927)
• Graphium ridleyanus (White, 1843)

References

• Carcasson, R.H 1960 The Swallowtail Butterflies of East Africa (Lepidoptera,Papilionidae). Journal of the East Africa Natural History Society pdf Key to East Africa members of the species group, diagnostic and other notes and figures. (Permission to host granted by The East Africa Natural History Society).

Notes and References

1. http://atbutterflies.com/downloads/papilionidae_leptocercini.doc Afrotropical Butterflies: File C – Papilionidae - Tribe Leptocercini
2. Aurivillius, [P.O.]C. 1908-1924. In: Seitz, A. Die Großschmetterlinge der Erde Band 13: Abt. 2, Die exotischen Großschmetterlinge, Die afrikanischen Tagfalter, 1925, 613 Seiten, 80 Tafeln (The Macrolepidoptera of the World 13).Alfred Kernen Verlag, Stuttgart.