Papilio horribilis
Papilio horribilis is a butterfly of the family Papilionidae. It is found in southern Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and Ghana.
Description
Sexual dimorphism is weak. On the obverse, the wings are black. The forewings have a large white macula crossed by black veins, a smaller macula of the same colour above the cell and a small macula at the apex of the wing. The hindwings have slightly spatulate tails. They have a white band crossed by black veins, four rounded submarginal maculae of the same color, as well as a small orange dot in the anal angle.On the reverse side the wings are dark brown. The pattern on the forewings is similar but the wings are paler at the apex. The cream band on the hindwings is partly covered with brown. The orange dot on the anal angle is absent and the submarginal macules are almost obliterated
Biology
The larvae possibly feed on Beilschmiedia manni.The female lays her eggs on the host plant.. The caterpillar passes through five instars before transforming into a chrysalis, and the chrysalis is held upside down by a silk belt, as in closely related species.
Adults are not uncommon in suitable habitat. Flight is rapid, with males diving from the canopy and moving between the canopy and ground level, often visiting flowers such as those of Mussaenda. They are territorial and fly high in clearings, chasing away rival males, between 10am and 12pm
Taxonomy
Papilio horribilis is a member of the hesperus species group. The members of the clade are:- Papilio hesperus Westwood, 1843
- Papilio euphranor Trimen, 1868
- Papilio horribilis Butler, 1874
- Papilio pelodurus Butler, 1896