InsectNet forum

I' ve got a specimen of Epicopeia polydora, whose hindwings are very short without tailes. The white patch on its hindwings are very different with other individuals I have seen before. And it seems like some members of genus Atrophaneura, and does it mimic-form? How can I get some information or literature of this species about their different forms? Thanks.

Epicopeia polydora is a very variable species, both in pattern and wing shape.

I suppose this male is similar to Pachliopta aristolochiae, or maybe a mimic of Atrophaneura astorion zaleucus if it came from southern Yunnan. Bear in mind also that these are almost certainly distasteful themselves, so they are not just pretending to be unpalatable. The advantage of mimicry among distasteful species is that predators only need to learn to avoid one colour pattern rather than many different ones.

Adam.

I was unaware of this moth- very interesting!

They usually have elongate hindwings and look like Byasa species. In places where there are black Byasa lacking white hindwing patches the Epicopeia are similarly black.

The Thais call this "moth kha nahm" (spiny legged moth), because the spines on the legs are very sharp.

Adam.

adamcotton wrote: Wed Jan 01, 2025 7:15 pm They usually have elongate hindwings and look like Byasa species. In places where there are black Byasa lacking white hindwing patches the Epicopeia are similarly black.

The Thais call this "moth kha nahm" (spiny legged moth), because the spines on the legs are very sharp.

Adam.

Thanks Adam, there are soooo many phenotype variation of this species, and the shapes of white patches are also different. I think collection of will be very interesting. Yes, the spins on its legs are really sharp and it nearly hurt my finger T_T
BTW, whether I can get several systematic reviews or literature about it?

Chuck wrote: Wed Jan 01, 2025 3:26 pm I was unaware of this moth- very interesting!

Thanks, it is really Interesting, for there are soooo many phenotype variation of this species.

Maybe you can obtain a copy of the book Endo, T. & Y. Kishida 1999. Day-Flying Moths. Chalcosiinae • Epicopeia. Endless Collection Series, Vol. 8. Endless Science Information, Tokyo. 120pp.

This illustrates various known species of Epicopeia with many photos of Epicopeia polydora.

Adam.

adamcotton wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2025 11:25 am Maybe you can obtain a copy of the book Endo, T. & Y. Kishida 1999. Day-Flying Moths. Chalcosiinae • Epicopeia. Endless Collection Series, Vol. 8. Endless Science Information, Tokyo. 120pp.

This illustrates various known species of Epicopeia with many photos of Epicopeia polydora.

Adam.

Thank you Adam