vandepolli

6) Sp. vandepolli (Snellen, 1890)⁵⁾

Ssp. parrottei Deslisle, 1989

Among Haliphron-Species-Group, Troides vandepolli is the only one highland species, and beautiful and large. Distribution is limited and the populations are scarce. A new subspecies was discovered from Mt. Dempo, a south highland of where it was previously thought not to occur in the south of Sumatra Is. (Deslisle, 1981)¹⁾. Three subspecies are known today.

(Distribution) [DCD 25]

Greater Sunda Islands (Highlands of Sumatra Is. and Java Is.)

(Vertical distribution)

1,000 ~1,800 m. a. s. l.

(Spotted pattern)

♂: The tonus of FW is almost at right angle, and HW has a distinctive rounded wing shape. FW is glossy black, semi-translucent grayish white vein-stripes are distinct on underside, but indistinct on the surface. The semi-translucent golden patch on HW is surrounded by black area covering the inner half of the cell and spaces 1 and 2, as well as a broad black marginal border and projections. Neck dark red, and few red hairs on lateral thorax. Abdomen densely covered with black hairs.

♀: The spotted pattern resembles that of Troides darsius. FW is dark brown or blackish brown with grayish white vein-stripes extending from apex of the cell to subapical region and submarginal area (Vein stripes along V^1b and V^2nddo not reach the cell). The yellow spot on HW is cut at right angles to the long axis of the wing by the blackish brown basal area, and black discal spots are free within the yellow area in the nominotypical subspecies but are fused together to form a band in Sumatran subspecies. Spaces 1b and 2 are white externally. The neck and lateral thorax are the same as in ♂.

(Larval foodplant)

Aristolochia foveolata, Aristolochia coadunata.⁴⁾