ORNITHOPTERA RICHMONDIA. 



Papilio Riohmondia, Gray, Cat. Lep. Ins. B.M.I., p, 2 n, 2. f. 1, 2. (1852) 



Qrnithoptera Riohmondia, Staudinger, Exotische Schmetterlinge, Taf. E. 



0. Priamus, L., var. Richmondia, Dr. C. Fickert, Ueber die Zeichnungsverhaltnisse der Gat. Orn., p. 702 (18S9) : 



Pap. Priamus, var. P. Richmondia, W. F. Kirby, Syn. Cat. of Diurn. Lepid., p. 517. (1871). 



This is the smallest of the Ornithoptera at present 

 known to science ; and though in many respects it bears 

 a resemblance to 0. Priamus and one or two others of that 

 genus, it would scarcely be mistaken for either of them, 

 at least as regards the $ . In size alone it differs very 

 materially, the largest example being somewhat inferior to 

 the smallest example of Priamus. The 2 would have a 

 better chance of being mistaken for the type species. 

 The S is especially variable on both surfaces, whether in 

 colour or markings, it being almost impossible to find two 

 examples in a long series which are very closely alike ; a 

 considerable difference in size also obtains. The variation 

 in the 6* appears to be restrained within more strict limits. 



In the plate is a series of figures illustrative of the 

 range of variation, which though not by any means 

 exhaustive, will convey a very fair idea of this interesting 

 fact. Before, however, more fully referring to them, it 

 will be best to quote Gray's description of the two sexes 

 almost in extenso. 



" $ Primaries similar to those of Priamus in colour and 

 markings, except that the irregular green band extending 

 from the base along the inner margin, and continued up 

 the outer margin towards the anterior angle, only reaches 

 a little beyond the 1st median nervule. In all the other 

 species it reaches the 5th subcostal nervule." 



[In a specimen in my collection (see fig. 36 in the 

 Plate) this band really extends up the wing till it almost 

 forms a junction with the apical end of the costal green 

 band] . 



" Secondaries similar ; but the round black spots are 

 4 or 5 in number, commencing in the space between 

 the costal nervure and the first subcostal nervule, the 1st 

 and and being without the small golden spot which is 

 found in Priamus.' 1 '' 



[A reference to the plate will show that this latter 

 distinction does not always hold good, though it may be 

 accepted as the rule ; for while these golden spots are 

 absent also from the corresponding positions in figs. la, 

 36, d", e, and g 1 , they are to be found well indicated in c, 

 where every black spot has its golden companion and in 

 / where the 1st, 3rd, and 4th spots are similiarly attended.] 



" Underside of primaries like that of Priamus in form of 

 markings, but with a bluish tinge, and the spots between 

 the nervules more distinctly separated into two parts in 

 each space by a broader band of black that runs from the 

 5th subcostal to the 1st discoidal nervules. Underside of 

 secondaries like that of Priamus in general appearance, 

 but the greater part of the surface is of bluish green — ; ' ' [As 

 also in 0. Pronomus and 0. Cassandra ; but in fig. c 1 of plate 

 will be found a variety with the green like that of the under- 

 side of the corresponding wing of 0. Armaria] " the base, 



and around the nervure inwardly of the discoidal cell, black ; 

 the spot between the costal and 1st subcostal nervule is 

 of an irregular form, and of a king's yellow; this colour 

 extends around the outer margin between the black spots 

 and the margin ; the space between the 3rd median 

 nervule and the submedian nervure is mostly bluish green, 

 but posteriorly yellow, with the base and a spot near the 

 outer margin black ; the inner margin brown." 



" 2 Primaries similar in markings to those of 2 

 Priamus, but less in size, and covered by numerous 

 minute black scales, which give them an obscure appear- 

 ance." [These scales are equally or even more strongly 

 scattered over the white and ochraceous markings of 

 0. Cassandra, less so in P. Urvilliana, and still less, or 

 only in those of the hind wings of 0. Armaria.] 

 " — Secondaries similar, except that the large spots, 

 which are of the same tear-shaped form, between the 

 nervules along the outer margin touch the nervules on 

 each side ; and the 4 between the 2nd subcostal and the 

 3rd median nervules are similar to one another in having 

 a black sublunate spot in the middle of each, which is 

 sometimes connected with the outer margin. The two 

 spaces between the costal nervure and the 2nd costal 

 nervule are marked with 2 irregular spots each, the one 

 nearest the margin being ochraceous. The anal angle 

 has a subquadrate spot of ochre colour. — " [Although Gray 

 makes no mention of the ochraceous colour of the outer 

 portions of these " tear-shaped " spots, probably they are 

 obscurely visible in his specimen. In the 3 examples 

 before me this colour is distinct enough, especially in the 

 one figured (5 2), also in 0. Cassandra 2. As these 

 acuminate grey marks are less densely clothed with scales 

 than the other parts of the wings, especially on the upper 

 side, probably this ochraceous appearance is the result of 

 the yellow of the under surface appearing through ; it 

 certainly is so in some specimens of this species and of 

 Cassandra ; but in others it is caused by the yellow scales 

 on the upper surface, mingled with and subdued by the 

 larger black scales, which produces the grey appearance 

 of the markings, or more properly the divided band.] 



" — The under surface of all the wings similar in 

 markings to the upper side, but the white colour is not so 

 obscured by minute black specks ; each large tear-shaped 

 spot in the secondary wings with the outer portion yellow. 

 The spot between the 1st and 2nd subcostal nervules and 

 the one at the anal angle partake more of the tear shape 

 than those of the upper side, and it contains a brown 

 spot, somewhat like the other in form." 



6*. "The spots on the sides of the discoidal cell, on 

 the under surface of primaries are like those of Cassandra. 

 Head, breast and legs like those of Priamus. The abdo- 

 men yellow, and the sides black. 2 . " Head, breast and 

 legs like those of Priamus" Fickert. 



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