Papilio hectorides


Papilio hectorides is a species of Neotropical swallowtail butterfly from the genus Papilio that is found in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil.

Description in Seitz

P. hectorides Esp. . In the male the band is still narrower than in lamarchei. Hindwing with red spots on the disc. In the female the band is absent or is white: on the forewing it is curved anteriorly towards the costa and on the hindwing does not extend to the abdominal margin; the submarginal spots of the hindwing are red and narrow. The female occurs in three principal forms: female-f. hectorides Esp. has a white band on both wings: in female f. catamelas R.& J. the band is developed on the hindwing, but on the forewing merely indicated; in female-f. melania Oberth. it is slightly indicated on both wings or entirely absent. These forms occur together. — Larva on Citrus and Piperaceae, resting gregariously on the upperside of leaves. The butterfly is common. It is a swift flier, which is found especially at the edges of woods and in the neighbourhood of thickets. Brazil and Paraguay.

Status

It is common and not threatened.

Biology

Larvae feed on Piperaceae.

Taxonomy

Papilio hectorides is a member of the species group ''torquatus''