Papilio bridgei Mathew 1886

Papilio bridgei is a swallowtail butterfly of the Papilioninae subfamily. It is found on various islands in the Solomons group. It is not threatened.^[1]

The wingspan is 140–150 millimetres (5.5–5.9 in).

The larvae feed on Citrus species.

Subspecies

• Papilio bridgei bridgei (Bougainville, Choiseul, Santa Isabel, Shortland, Treasury Islands, Fauro Islands)
• Papilio bridgei ortegae Rothschild, 1904 (Florida Islands)
• Papilio bridgei hecataeus Godman & Salvin, 1888 (Guadalcanal)
• Papilio bridgei tryoni Mathew, 1889 (Ugi, San Cristobal)
• Papilio bridgei prospero Grose-Smith, 1889 (New Georgia Islands)

Taxonomy

Papilio bridgei is a member of the aegeus species-group . The clade members are

• Papilio aegeus Donovan, 1805
• Papilio bridgei Mathew, 1886
  • ? Papilio erskinei Mathew, 1886
• Papilio gambrisius Cramer, [1777]
• Papilio inopinatus Butler, 1883
• Papilio ptolychus Godman & Salvin, 1888
• Papilio tydeus C. & R. Felder, 1860
• Papilio weymeri Niepelt, 1914
• Papilio woodfordi Godman & Salvin, 1888

Philately

Papilio bridgei depicted on a 5 January 1982 Solomon Islands postage stamp (SLB914: 25c).

Etymology

Named for "Captain Cyprian A. G. Bridge who commanded H.M. ship Espiègle during her long and interesting Commission of nearly four years, a greater portion of which time was spent among the islands of the Western Pacific."

References