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This butterfly is from an old American collection that I am currently inventorying. Collected in 1939 apparently, the data is somewhat lacking but hopefully there is enough information there that someone can determine the location, which I'm guessing is Mexico but not certain. Also, the species name would be great - thank you.

It appears to be a species of Gonepteryx. Gonepteryx mahaguru, perhaps?

The label mentions NE. Manchuria (China).

The locality seems to be about 50km SE of Harbin, Heilongjiang, NE China according to this
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/le ... 98443/_pdf

Yuchuan seems to be a place on the Pinchang river, now known as Songhua Jiang.

Adam.

Thank you both, livingplanet3 and Adam, for the useful information! Dale

livingplanet3 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 6:27 pm It appears to be a species of Gonepteryx. Gonepteryx mahaguru, perhaps?

The label mentions NE. Manchuria (China).

Here is a specimen in my collection from Nainital India collected 16th June 1914. Just over 108 years ago. I bought it with several other Indian specimens about ten years ago at an insect fair in London. It is the smallest Goneteryx specimen in my collection & has paler whitish hindwings. There was another label attached to it identifying it as Gonepteryx zaneka but this is a synonym for Gonepteryx mahaguru which I am sure it is. This species also occurs in China.
The first photo with the data labels was taken under artificial light. The third picture was taken in daylight.

Papilio_indra wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 6:20 pm This butterfly is from an old American collection that I am currently inventorying. Collected in 1939 apparently, the data is somewhat lacking but hopefully there is enough information there that someone can determine the location, which I'm guessing is Mexico but not certain. Also, the species name would be great - thank you.

Unknown.jpg

Please see my other post in this thread with details & pictures of my Gonepteryx mahaguru specimen from India.
As this species also occurs in China I am pretty sure your specimen must belong to this species too

Thanks for posting those photos Dave, and great background information too!

Dale

According to Tuzov (ed) et al. (1997 - Butterflies of Russia and adjacent territories) this should be Gonepteryx aspasia Ménétriès, 1859. I don't know whether this is currently treated as conspecific with Gonepteryx mahaguru Gistel, 1857 or not.

Adam.

After looking at multiple images online of mounted specimens of both G. aspasia and G. mahaguru, the G. aspasia seem to have slightly narrower wings while those in G. mahaguru tend to be broader, so G. aspasia appears correct. Thanks for the update!