Bhutanitis ludlowi

Bhutanitis ludlowi is a butterfly of the family of Swallowtail Butterfly ( Papilionidae ). It belongs to the subfamily Parnassiinae, where you will also find the Apollo.

Features

Bhutanitis ludlowi similar to the related species Bhutanitis lidderdalii, but has broader wings is paler in color and has gray transverse bands.

Dissemination

The two related species B. ludlowi and B. lidderdalii seem to occur in similar areas in Bhutan and Yunnan, but it is unknown whether they inhabit the same habitats. It is believed that B. ludlowi also in Sichuan, China occurs.

Biology

Bhutanitis ludlowi is a forest dweller and lives in 2000-2200 meters altitude. The biology of the species is unknown. It is thought that the caterpillars develop as in the related species B. lidderdalii to Aristolochia species.

History of Research

The species was previously known only from two collections. The type specimens were collected from 1933 to 1934 by Gabriel in Trashiyangsi Valley in northeastern Bhutan. You are in the Natural History Museum in London. Chou described in 1994 a specimen from Yunnan, China. In August 2011, photos were published of Bhutanitis ludlowi. Employees of the Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan came together with a research team of the Butterfly Society of Japan copulating specimens.

Threats and conservation

All species of the genus Bhutanitis be out in Appendix II of the CITES Convention. The trade in these animals is thus limited. Until recently, no trading has been described in specimens of the species, though he is much in demand by collectors. The species is considered endangered.