5) Sp. chimaera (Rothschild, 1904)11)
Ssp. chimaera (Rothschild, 1904)
Ssp. charybdis (van Eecke, 1915)
f. loc. dracaena (Joicey & Talbot, 1916)
*Ssp. flavidior (Rothschild, 1913)
This species is the eastern representative of Tithonus-Species-Group and inhabits mainly in the highland of New Guinea east of 134°E. longitude. It is classified into three subspecies and one local form, but as for ssp. flavidior from Huon Peninsula and the most recent redescribed f. loc. dracaena, the research materials are scarce now. Therefore, the further study is needed.
(Distribution) [DCD 12]
![[DCD 12]](https://www.ag.kagawa-u.ac.jp/birdwingbutterflies/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCD12-scaled.jpg){kind=link}
On Papua side, the eastern populations are found in Owen Stanley Mts. to Central Range at 1,600m to 2, 800m, and on Irian Jaya side, the western populations occur in Maoke Mts., Jayawijaya Mts. and Kobowre Mts., etc at 1,000m to 1,800m.
(Vertical distribution)
1,000 – 2, 800 m. a. s. l.
(Characteristics)
Spotted patterns of ♂ resembles O. (S.) tithonus and those of ♀ resembles O. (S.) rothschildi, indicating that this species is closely related to both these species. Body hairs are well developed, especially on the abdomen of ♀, forming a stripe pattern with black and yellow hair tufts, as well as the distinct highland species rothschildi.
(Spotted pattern)
♂: FW with pointed apex and concave outer margin. HW has an anal notch, but overall shape is oval. Among three iridescent green bands, the anal band is longer than other species of same group and reaches the tornus. Spaces 3 and 4 on HW are covered with semi-translucent golden spots. The black discal spots (two or three) are smaller on the subcostal space side. The head is relatively small, and the white border on the posterior margin of eyes is obscure.
♀: The ground color is blackish brown to dark brown. FW protruding, outer margins concave and wavy. All FW spots are present, but small. The subapical streaks are divided in two. The outer margin of HW pale band is markedly uneven, and the inner side from the round dark discal spots is white, and the outer side is ochre, covered with darkly with black scales.
(Larval foodplant)
Pararistolochia pithecurus, P. engleriana.8)