Aetheoptera

[1] Subgenus Aetheoptera Rippon, 1890¹⁷⁾

The only species in this subgenus is O. (A.) victoriae, which occurs on Bougainville Island (PNG) and Solomon Islands.

1) O. (A.) victoriae (Gray, 1856)（7 subspecies）

 

In Solomon Islands, another subgenus, O. (O.) priamus urvillianus, also occurs, but it does not occur on Makira Island, which is the most southeastern island. Therefore, in terms of distribution, O. (A.) victoriae is the most southeastern of all Birdwing Butterflies.

The characteristics of the genus Aetheoptera are as follows:

1. The ♂ wing shape is elongated oval in both FW and HW, with a distinct anal notch on the HW.
2. The cell-end of FW in ♂ is enlarged and spatulate. The V2^nd – V4^th come closer each other. The V9^th originates from the same position as the V7^th and V8^th common vein.
3. The FW of ♂ are composed of the subapical patch (=radial band) and the basal patch (=radial, cubital and anal bands) with the sex-brand on the outer margin.
4. The male lacks the red hairs on the lateral thorax and white border on the posterior margin of the eyes.