Papilio dardanus antinorii (female)

[Trehopr1]

Papilio dardanus is a widespread species
throughout Africa with many subspecies.
Some would even say it is a complex unto
itself.

Danny Burk (deliasfanatic) who was a former
moderator on collectorsecretforum took a
particular and focused interest in this species
complex and thus probably had one of the most
complete assemblages of it anywhere.

This particular subspecies is a standout amongst
all others as the (female) is the ONLY tailed one
which I am aware of....

[daveuk]

I visited Danny back in 2016 & was lucky enough to see some of his drawers of this species. A great loss as a friend & to this forum.

[adamcotton]

The female of meriones from Madagascar is also tailed.

Adam.

[adamcotton]

For those who don't know, antinorii comes from Ethiopia.

Adam.

[Cabintom]

Females of ssp. byatti from Somalia are also tailed.

Then there's a ssp. from the Eritrean highlands, P. d. figinii , for which I have very little info, though I imagine it's females would be tailed as well. I've read that it may be synonymous with ssp. antinorii.

[Cabintom]

To add: Unlike most dardanus ssps., meriones & byatti females are not polymorphic. antinorii females being polymorphic and tailed is what makes it that much more special.