Troides andromache explained

Troides andromache, the Borneo birdwing or Kinabalu Birdwing,[1] is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It is found only in Borneo. In 2023, it was selected as the official state butterfly of the state of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.[2]

Description

The wingspan ranges from 150 to 180 mm (female), the hindwings are discreetly scalloped. The body is black with yellow marks on the ventral abdomen. Troides andromache is sexually dimorphic.

The males have black upperside forewings. The underside of the forewings is black marked, in the postdiscal area and between the veins, with white. The hindwings are yellow with black veins and have a border of marginal black triangles.

The females have white forewings with black veins lined with grey. The black veined yellow hindwings have wide-bordered black margin and a wide submarginal formed of confluent black spots.

Subspecies

The subspecies are

Biology

The host plants for the caterpillar are Aristolochia - A. acuminata and A. foveolata.

Biotope

Troides andromache is found in rain forest canopy in the mountains of Borneo at an elevation of 1,000 to 2,900 m.

Etymology

In Greek mythology, Andromache (/ænˈdrɒməkiː/; ancient Greek: Ἀνδρομάχη) was the wife of Hector and daughter of Eetion.

Related species

Troides andromache is a member of the Troides amphrysus species group. The members of this clade are:

See also

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kinabalu Birdwing Project - SBBT . 7 January 2024 . 3 December 2017.
  2. Web site: Miwil . Olivia . Passing of butterfly expert a big loss to Sabah New Straits Times . NST Online . 7 January 2024 . en . 6 January 2024.