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Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 10:39 pm
by daveuk
Two specimens from Central African Republic 1983
Typical blue form of the male with a less typical green form.
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 10:45 pm
by Trehopr1
An extraordinary color form !
Have seen it only pictured once before.
Very unique....
Thank you very much Dave for posting it
for all to enjoy !
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 10:57 pm
by daveuk
You're welcome. I believe I posted a picture of it on the old forum quite a few years ago.
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 11:03 pm
by livingplanet3
This is probably my favorite of all African butterflies. You're very fortunate to have that green form, and in such pristine condition!
It seems that the larva of zalmoxis, like that of antimachus, still remains unknown.
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 11:27 pm
by daveuk
I do feel privileged to own the green form. I have never seen a female offered for sale & only a very few female antimachus over time. Strange that these two species of "African birdwings" have never been commercially reared.
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2022 5:07 am
by biscuit153
Just superb, especially to see the two forms together. Wow what a treasure
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2022 12:45 pm
by jonathan
I don''t follow this family but nonetheless I cannot stop but appreciate the beauty of Papilios.
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2022 4:46 pm
by wollastoni
Wonderful ! Now you need a green female !
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2022 8:34 pm
by mokky
Thank you for sharing a fantastic form! I have never seen such color variation of Papilio zalmoxis.
To unveil the early stages of this magnificent African swallowtail is my life-time dream.
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 9:13 pm
by MAC
Just wondering about the green form of Zalmoxis? I was always under the impression this was a post-mortem effect and not natural?
Has this now been proven not to be the case? I have examples of blue and green of these, but had thought it might be down to age / or how they were relaxed? The 2 females I have are a lot lighter one almost grey and the other a greener shade, but overall much more pale than the males
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 11:42 pm
by daveuk
MAC wrote: Sat Jun 04, 2022 9:13 pm
Just wondering about the green form of Zalmoxis? I was always under the impression this was a post-mortem effect and not natural?
Has this now been proven not to be the case? I have examples of blue and green of these, but had thought it might be down to age / or how they were relaxed? The 2 females I have are a lot lighter one almost grey and the other a greener shade, but overall much more pale than the males
I don't know to be honest. Always thought that the green form was a naturally occurring one. I bought these two specimens already set but from the same source at the same time. I presume they were relaxed & mounted in exactly the same way because of that. Congrats on your two females !!
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2022 10:22 pm
by MAC
It would be interesting to find out for sure, I will post a couple of pics of my specimens to hopefully show the variation in colour
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2022 10:24 pm
by MAC
- 8B32F73F-7E94-4D71-8A73-A19A759AB40B.jpeg (249.33 KiB) Viewed 12641 times
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 12:11 pm
by wollastoni
Splendid variations ! Congrats.
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 12:24 pm
by billgarthe
Wow……females. Niiiice
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 12:55 pm
by Yorky
Dave, are you positive that it's a male?
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 3:40 pm
by bobw
Yorky wrote: Mon Jun 06, 2022 12:55 pm
Dave, are you positive that it's a male?
The abdomen does look quite fat - but does it have claspers?
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 3:45 pm
by daveuk
Yorky wrote: Mon Jun 06, 2022 12:55 pm
Dave, are you positive that it's a male?
Yes Dunc it's a male..just taken this photo
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 3:46 pm
by Yorky
It's impossible to tell from a front on photo Bob but I cross referenced the swollen abdomen to the females in the other picture.
Scrap that post, we overlapped Dave, yes it's a male.
Re: Papilio zalmoxis
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 3:46 pm
by daveuk
bobw wrote: Mon Jun 06, 2022 3:40 pm
Yorky wrote: Mon Jun 06, 2022 12:55 pm
Dave, are you positive that it's a male?
The abdomen does look quite fat - but does it have claspers?
Hi Bob. Just taken this photo. Definitely a male.
