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Post by paulbodnar1 on Jan 7, 2014 15:27:49 GMT -8
Here is a drawer of Eastern (O.chimaera chimaera) and Western (O.chimaera charybdis). Attachments:
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Post by beetlehorn on Jan 7, 2014 18:28:56 GMT -8
Hey those drawers sure look familiar! It's nice to see how well you organized your Ornithoptera collection Paul. Those are some very nice specimens, and O. chimaera is one of the top three for me as well. Tom
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Post by marcingajewski on Jan 9, 2014 2:22:06 GMT -8
Here is a drawer of Eastern (O.chimaera chimaera) and Western (O.chimaera charybdis). Hello Paul , very nice collection ! |
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Post by nomad on Jan 12, 2014 5:03:33 GMT -8
 It just seems amazing how many views and replies with some fabulous Ornithoptera specimens this thread has achieved since I asked John 'Panzerman ' what his favourite Ornithoptera specimen was. It just goes to show that the Ornithoptera as a whole are the most popular of all the World's butterflies. 
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Post by marcingajewski on Jan 20, 2014 2:53:59 GMT -8
Hi All,
Part of my urvillianus collection , one of my favorite ornithoptera sp.
Marcin
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Post by morpho45 on Jan 20, 2014 7:47:28 GMT -8
Magnifiques !!!
You're lucky collector !
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Post by marcingajewski on Feb 21, 2014 7:48:11 GMT -8
O.ch.chimera F 30/01/08 Oiwa Village 1750m Aseki Morobe PNG Hello Guys, I wondering about mistical o.ch.flavidior , i see the defferences between o.ch.chimera and O.ch.flavidior in H&L Monograph and Matsukas N.H.o.B.B . The defference is location and hindwing spots surrounded . Only in books spacemants have hindwing spots surrounded , this which i saw here ore in internet no . Question is ; is it possible in Your opinion that some species from population of this strong flighters can move to place like Oiwa or others and find the food plants and than stay ? Mine spacement have this hindwing spots surrounded an morfoligical looks like flavidior ,but location is Oiwa . What You thing ? Thanks Marcin |
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Post by nomad on Feb 23, 2014 3:22:16 GMT -8
Hi Marcin, The original description of subspecies O. chimaera flavidior was from just one male, captured by Keysser inland of the Huon Gulf at 1200 meters. The huge male certainly seemed to be different then from the nominate specimens. As you have the book, you know the description that was given by Bernard d' Abrera. He mentions that the principal difference feature that differentiates it from the nominate race is the well developed greenish-yellowband along the dorsum of the forewing recto which continues and curves along the tornus. Also the well developed costal green band which meets the yellow apical band of the forewing recto. Much has been made of the holotype specimen hindwing gold markings surrounding the black spots,as you can see from your specimen from Oiwa, this is not a good diagnostic character. Look at the other flavidior specimen in the D' Abrera book that was captured by A.F. Eichhorn in the Herzog mountains. The Paul Smart specimen of flavidior shown in this thread does not correspond to the forewing markings of the holotype. The specimen shown on Tony's website seems similar to the Smart specimen. As you know, flaividor means yellowish and the males do seem to have this coloration on the forwings and do not seem to show much of the usual greenish colour. However some of Meek 's males are also more yellow than green on the forewings and so is my male from the Bismarck range. There is then the female to consider, however are there any major differences apparent? I believe this is a classic case of the dangers of describing a new subspecies from a single specimen . Of course subspecies flavidior will stand, it has for over a hundred years, because in the Huon, chimaera is with out doubt a rare butterfly, even though the terrain is difficult, ornithological expeditions seem to make that part of the hinterland ever year to see the rare endemic birds that occur there. Also there are of course collectors out there who have everything except the mythical flavidior.
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myko61
Junior Member
Posts: 28
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Post by myko61 on Mar 25, 2014 5:43:36 GMT -8
Peter (Nomad),
I would like to thank you for posting the the description of the mythical chimaera flavidior by Bernard d' Abrera. As I have never seen
photos of this holotype specimen. I have seen Paul Smarts flavidior and the one on Tony Nagypal's website. Both of these specimens have
no distinguishable differences from the typical chimaera chimaera. So, I would like to get your opinion on the following question. Is it
possible that the specimen captured by Keysser was a natural hybrid between chimaera chimaera and goliath supremus? A chance encounter
between these two spicies which exist in the same area but typically fly at different altitudes. The discription you posted (Huge size,
Well developed greenish-yellow band along the dorsum which continues and curves along the tornus of the FW recto, Well developed costal
green band which meets the yellow apical band of the FW recto and the gold markings surrounding the black spots of the HW recto), I
believe suggests this could be possible (Especially the huge size and the gold markings surrounding the black spots of the HW). It could
also be the reason why this specimen type is so rare. This would also account for the other so called flavidior specimens (Paul Smarts
and Tony Nagypal's) comming from the Huon Peninsula area resembling typical chimaera. I believe this holotype specimen would be a good
choice for DNA testing.
Everyone's opinion on this topic would be appreciated,
Norman
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Post by nomad on Mar 25, 2014 6:18:30 GMT -8
Hi Norman
without doubt the holotype male of O. chimaera flavidor is certainly not a hybrid with O. goliath. It is a pure O. chimaera specimen, but may be a aberrant male within the variation of this species. As very few males of subspecies flavidor are known from the Huon Peninsula, we do not have a good series to compare with the nominate race. It is a large male, but there other almost equally large chimaera specimens that were taken by the A.S Meek who discovered this butterfly in the Owen Stanley Range. I have seen a lot of the Ornithoptera hybrids that are captive made on sale at Juvisy. I have yet to see a chimaera x goliath specimen. Some Ornithoptera hybrids do occur in the wild, but chimaera often occurs at a higher altitude than goliath. I would like to post a picture of the holotype male, so that you could see there is no trace of goliath within this superb specimen, but this would infringe Mr d' Abrera copyright laws and because of the trouble that we have had on here, I would not like chance it.
Regards Peter.
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Post by marcingajewski on Mar 26, 2014 2:40:03 GMT -8
Hi All,
O.ch.chimera Lower Slopes Owen-Stanley range 1970 Leg.Straatman
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Post by marcingajewski on Mar 26, 2014 2:42:13 GMT -8
My favorite ornithoptera ssp. from favorite locality  O.p.urvillianus Wagina is B.S.I.P 12.09.74 leg.Archer |
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Post by ash on May 18, 2014 4:02:41 GMT -8
Hi all,
My favourite Ornithoptera specimen has only just made it to my collection and she is not even spread yet. A glorious large Ornithoptera chimera chimaera from Oiwa Village, Aseki in Papua New Guinea. She has lovely red in the yellow on both top and bottom surfaces of the hindwings.
have fun
Ashley
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Post by Zacatak on May 19, 2014 23:23:43 GMT -8
nice one ash, nice reddish aberration. here's another aberration of goliath samson missing spots cheers zac Attachments:
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Post by krupten on Jun 9, 2014 3:11:57 GMT -8
Hi Peter - I know there was a hybrid goliath x chimaera taken - collectors brought it to Benie Talisman in MKW back in the 70';s and I from memory Jan published a line illustration of it - in PAPILIO - but I might be mistaken - however I am pretty sure it was the Gol x Chi produced. There is also meridionalis x priamus and that ONE IS for the books and it is a stunning lep. Meridionalis x paradisea - I seen pics of the parental mating but nothing I think became of it - and the resultant ova may have not been viable.
Ray had many chimaera sent to him in Rouna - from Chimbu and even Wabag - as well as areas near Garaina. He made trips to all the areas and did some collecting but the majority of the specimens - including goliath from Chimbu were taken by ONE young fellow - who used to dry the specimens over an fire I his hut - the specimens can easily be recognized and he also TIED the legs together so they would not break - remarkable young man. The boy from Wabag - red haired chap was also good but best was Ungabe - Rays boy in Sogeri.
I spoke to Peter and a few lads at IFTA and though they SEEN flavidior - it was not easy to obtain due to its locality and terrain but it is HUGE and VERY LOCAL. As for the host - that is a very selective plant being found in realy damp areas - small leaves and usually on the sides of steep embankments - the larvae of chimaera are also "secretive" and not easy to locate - if only because of the terrain - and the fact it is so damp and slippery.
Cheers
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It just seems amazing how many views and replies with some fabulous Ornithoptera specimens this thread has achieved since I asked John 'Panzerman ' what his favourite Ornithoptera specimen was. It just goes to show that the Ornithoptera as a whole are the most popular of all the World's butterflies. 
