Another "treasure" from the Hans Meyer Range, New Ireland

This is a female Graphium eurypylus extensus form praetorianus, and it is indeed very rare.

Adam.

Respect Adam! You are without doubt our Papilionidae Guru!


I also have only ever seen female specimens that differ from normal extensus males. Here is a photo of a praetorianus female I collected in 2011 also at high altitude in the Hans Meyer Range.

I have always found males to be rather constant although for the first time ever collected a male at altitude in the Hans Meyer Range together with the female form praetorianus. It is the specimen on the left. The male specimen on the right is “typical” from about 600m in the Baining Mountains.

The Hans Meyer Range specimen appears to have reduced forewing markings. I will post a photo once set.

While in New Britain last year I collected my first ever series of typical extensus females. The colour variation is quite staggering! Perhaps a joint paper may be warranted Adam?

Yes, there are some interesting pattern differences in the hindwing as well as the forewing. I look forward to seeing the uppersides, and especially inside the hindwing androconial scent fold.

In reality though, it is rather unlikely that there could be 2 species involved, as there is only a single known species of the eurypylus group in the whole New Guinea area. If there is a separate isolated species in the highlands that would be very interesting for many reasons. Of course the best way to tell would be by sending some legs for DNA analysis, but I doubt that there will be any difference.

Laurie, a joint paper would certainly be a very good idea as very little has been published on extensus, let's discuss your ideas by e-mail.

Adam.

Hey laurie,
Have you ever considered writing a book about your collecting trips? Perhaps "Memoirs of a 21st century Lepidopterist" I've enjoyed your posts of rare catches, and it's nice to see a few members on here are still able to go on these epic adventures to "faraway" lands like the days of old.