Papilio machaonides

[chrisw]

Papilio machaonides pair Dominican Republic

[Trehopr1]

Here is my one and only self-capture of this marvelous
and largest of Dominican swallowtails !

These were especially difficult to capture where we were
located. Collected in the mountain elevations of Las Abejas,
Pedernales province, Dominican Republic.

I recall seeing 4 or 5 others but, always on the wing looking
"glorious" --- not flowering. The tangle of brush, lack of water
puddles, and genuinely narrow trails largely prohibited any real
success at capture. Tough customers....



I believe this is a female. Perhaps, others can confirm. Don't
see any (obvious) claspers....

[daveuk]

That's a really lovely wild caught specimen again Trehopr. I am sure it is a female. Here are my pair. Sadly not wild caught!!

[Trehopr1]

Always spectacular Dave wherever they may be found in collections !