Magnificent Swallowtail








Summary
Papilio garamas, commonly known as the magnificent swallowtail, is a species of Neotropical swallowtail butterfly found in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Costa Rica.
Description
A large butterfly with a wingspan of 80 to 110 millimetres. The females are dimorphic, either resembling the male or dark forms lacking the cream median and postdiscal bands contrasting with deep black ground colour.
Taxonomy
Papilio garamas is a member of the homerus species group. The members of this clade are: Papilio garamas is in the subgenus Pterourus Scopoli, 1777 which also includes the species groups: troilus species group, glaucus species group, the zagreus species group and the scamander species group. - Papilio cacicus Lucas, 1852 - Papilio euterpinus Salvin & Godman, 1868 - Papilio garamas (Geyer, [1829]) - Papilio homerus Fabricius, 1793 - Papilio menatius (Hübner, [1819]) - Papilio warscewiczii Hopffer, 1865
Status
Not uncommon and not regarded as threatened. If the garamas subspecies other than garamas garamas are subspecies of abderus then garamas is a Mexican endemic, but a taxonomic clarification is required.
Etymology
Garamas was the son of Acacallis (Greek: Ἀκακαλλίς) in Greek mythology.