szechwanus

2. Ssp. szechwanus Okano & Okano, 1983¹³⁾ [♂, ♀]

(Distribution) [Map 152]

CHINA [Gansu] Wudu, [Sichuan] Dujiangyan, Qingcheng Shan, Lushan, Baoxing, Kangding, Luding, Erlang Shan, Moxi, Emei Shan, [Yunnan] Huaping, Binchuan, Dali, Xiaguan, Yunjinghong (=Jinghong), Xishuangbanna, [Shaanxi] Baoji, [Guizhou], [Guangxi Zhuangze Zizhiqu], [Hainan] Hainan Dao, [Guangdong] Luofu Shan, [Hong Kong], [Hubei], [Hunan], [Jiangxi], [Fujian] Wuyi Shan, [Zhejiang] Quigyuan, Jingning, Suichang, Kaihua, Chun’an, Lin’an.

(Episodes of discovery and original description)

This subspecies was independently isolated from the nominotypical subspecies in 1983 by Okano & Okano based on specimens of 13 ♂♂ and 9 ♀♀ collected in western China (Szechwan Province) between 1980 and 1983. In the original description, it is treated as a subspecies of minos, not aeacus. The subspecies is named after “Szechwan Province”.

(Characteristics)

A relatively recent subspecies separated from the nominotypical subspecies based on blacking of the abdomen. This subspecies, like the nominotypical subspecies, is continental, and the distributional boundary between these two subspecies is unknown. In addition, there are few differences in the wing shape and spots, so identification is based on the presence or absence of two rows of black dots on the ventrolateral abdomen.

(Spotted pattern)

♂: Very similar to the nominotypical ssp., but with somewhat narrower vein-stripes on FW and fewer black shading on HW. The obvious distinguishing character is that the male abdomen has two rows of hairy black spots on the ventrolateral sides, which are not present in the other subspecies of this species.

♀: The vein-stripes on FW are as broad as in the nominotypical ssp., while the black discal spots are as larger as in ssp. kaguya. Like ♂, it is identifiable by that the abdomen are darker and hairy black spots on ventrolateral area are larger than in other subspecies.