criton

7) Sp. criton (Felder, 1860)¹⁾

Ssp. critonides (Fruhstorfer, 1903)

This species occurs in North Maluku, the most northeastern district of the distribution range of Haliphron-Species-Group. Local and individual variations are scarce, but females are characterized by polymorphism. Two subspecies are known.

(Distribution) [DCD 26]

North Maluku (Morotai Is., Halmahera Is., Ternate Is., Tidore Is., Kasiruta Is., Bacan Is., Obi Is., Obitura Is.)

(Vertical distribution)

Unknown.

(Spotted pattern)

♂: FW is glossy black without vein-stripes. HW black, with semi-translucent golden patch occupying almost half of the apical side of the cell and almost two-thirds of spaces 2 – 7. Black marginal border is broad, but unevenness is mild. The undersurface of wings has about the same patterns as the upper surface. Reddish hair tufts on neck and lateral thorax. Surface of abdomen blackish brown, with yellow underside.

♀: Polymorphism by the presence or absence of FW vein-stripes in combination with the color of HW pale band is characteristics of this species. There are six forms in nominotypical subspecies, and three forms in ssp. critonides. (These are discussed in the section on each subspecies.)

(Larval foodplant)

Aristolochia tagala, Pararistolochia sp. A (from Bacan I.), Aristolochia gaudichaudii ⁶⁾.