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  Library>China ABC>Fauna Flora>Introduction and Regulations>Class I Animals>Invertebrate
 
 
 
Golden-spot-snouted Swallowtail

 

It is a member of the Papilinidae family of Lepidoptera order in Insecta class, with the Latin scientific name of Teinopalpus aureus.       

Its expansus is about 11 centimeters long. Similar to triangle, its black primary wing is covered by bright green and yellow scales with different density. The discal cell of hind wing has a piece of inaurate large blotch, with a crescent light yellow spot respectively on the RsM1 of the exterior margin and between the M1 - M2 veins. M3 vein extends to be a caudal appendage with yellow tip. The color and luster of stripes on the back of wings is lighter than that on the surface of wings. The inaurate large blotch on hind wings of the female almost occupies 3/5 of hind wings. There are 5 caudal appendages with various lengths on the hind wings.

It dwells in broadleaf forests and evergreen forests in mountainous region at an altitude over 1,000 kilometers. It often circuits around treetop, seldom stopping to have a rest. Flying at high speed, sometimes it dives downwards to sip water in flowers and soars right back into sky at short notice.

It is a species endemic to China, with a very small quantity left worldwide, only distributed in a few regions such as Hainan, Guangdong, Fujian provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is reputed by butterfly specialists as "the butterfly of the dream", and has been listed inAppendix I ofInternational Trade Convention on Endangered Wild Plant and Animal Species.

 
 
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