2) Sp. priamus (Linnaeus, 1758)29)
It is assumed that the ancestor of this species, which is thought to have originated in the southern Maluku (=Molucca) region, gradually expanded its distribution to the east and southeast. If we consider that since the distribution is widespread and, except for a few, the number of individuals is not rare, this species has adapted well to its local range, and many subspecies and local forms have been emerged on the New Guinea Island and other neighboring islands. Here, based on similarity, these 23 subspecies are classified into the Priamus-Subspecies-Group (4 ssp.), the Poseidon-Subspecies-Group (13 ssp.), the Eastern-Subspecies-Group (4 ssp.), the Admiralitatis-Subspecies-Group (1 ssp.) and the Gorongensis-Subspecies-Group (1 ssp.).
(Distribution) [DCD 6]
![[DCD 6]](https://www.ag.kagawa-u.ac.jp/birdwingbutterflies/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCD6-scaled.jpg){kind=link}
The distribution area extends from Maluku (=Molucca) islands in the west to Solomon Islands in the east and the south to the east coast of Australia with New Guinea as the center.
(Vertical Distribution)
0 – 2, 000 m. a. s. l.
(Spotted pattern)
♂: FW glossy black, with iridescent green, green-blue or blue patches － the radial band, the anal-submarginal band and the median stripe, which is absent in some subspecies. The HW is same color as the FW patches, surrounded by a black marginal border, and with some black discal spots. Some individuals additionally have several semi-translucent golden spots on the submarginal region. The color of the patches is mainly iridescent golden green but changes gradually to golden blue as it migrates eastward. The collar and lateral thorax are covered with red hairs, and the abdomen is bright yellow on both upper and under surfaces.
♀: Spotted as in all genus Ornithoptera. The FW has the grayish white cell-spot, the subapical streaks, the discal spots, and the submarginal spots. The HW has the pale band of the same color as FW spots, with round dark discal spots within it. In this species, the ground color and the spots tend to be darker and larger in their habitat in the west, while they tend to be lighter and smaller in the east.
(Larval foodplant)
Aristolochia tagala, A. gaudichaudii, A. linnemannii, Pararistolochia alexandriana, P. meridionaliana, P. pithecurus, P. engeleriana, P. momandul, P. sp. C (from Timika)30).