Narrative

Papilio nireus group is sometimes referred to as the African Gloss Papilio group because of the bright green and blue bands that transverse the wings.

There is considerable confusion as to the exact taxonomy of this group when one studies the portion of the group that is found in the mountains of southeast Africa.

Papilio aristophantes might be a subspecies of Papilio nireus. Papilio desmondei, Papilio magdae, and Papilio brontes are in a much confused taxonomic situation. Seemingly, P. brontes and P. magdae are synonyms. Papilio interjecta has been described as a species. It is near Papilio bromius.

Following is a list of species that make up this group (an * indicates that this species is pictured):

SPECIES - - - - - LOCATION
Papilio aethiops - Northeast Africa
Papilio aristophantes - Comoro
Papilio bromius* - Africa
Papilio charopus* - Highlands of south central Africa
Papilio chrapkowski* - Kenya and Uganda
Papilio delalandei* - Madagascar
Papilio desmondi - East Africa
Papilio epiphorbus* - Madagascar
Papilio hornimani* - Highlands of east Africa
Papilio interjecta - Kenya and east Africa
Papilio magdae(=brontes)* - East Africa
Papilio mangoura* - Madagascar
Papilio manlius - Mauritius
Papilio maesseni - New species, Ghana
Papilio nireus* - Most of Africa
Papilio oribazus* - Madagascar
Papilio phorbanta* - Réunion
Papilio sosia* - West and central Africa
Papilio thuraui* - Highlands of southeast Africa
Papilio ufipa* - Tanzania

Taxonomy

References