New butterfly record in Hong Kong

Papilio thaiwanus (Rothschild, 1898) - ¥xÆW»ñ½º - Taiwan swallowtail

It was confirmed that a male Papilio thaiwanus, an endemic species of Taiwan was caught by a staff of AFCD on 24th March, 1997 at Tai Lung Farm in Fanling. It seems that the butterfly is spreading with our effort (human intervention into nature). Like Discophora sondaica, family Amathsuiidae has spread dramatically in Taiwan. It was found in Kee Lung and it had reached Taipei last year. It is even common in the city now. Do watch out for this Taiwanese counterpart in Hong Kong. (Please click on the photographs to see the partial life history.)

(prepared by J J Young)

©2004 Hong Kong Lepidopterists' Society Limited