Graphium megarus

Spotted Zebra
File:GraphiumMegarusMegapenthesMUpUnAC1.jpg
Graphium (Pathysa) megarus megapenthes <recto:verso>.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Papilionidae
Genus:	Graphium
Subgenus:	Pathysa
Species:	P. megarus
Binomial name
Graphium megarus Westwood, 1841
Synonyms
Pathysa megarus Papilio megarus Paranticopsis megarus

The Spotted Zebra (Graphium megarus) is a species of swallowtail butterfly found in Southeast Asia. It is common and not considered to be threatened; however, the nominate subspecies is protected by law in India.

Description

File:Paranticopsis megarus 517.png

Male upperside black with the following white streaks and spots— Fore wing cell with a small spot at base followed by three obliquely transverse streaks in middle, none extended to either the subcostal or median veins, and two spots near apex; single slender narrow streaks in interspaces la and 2, and two streaks in interspace 1; above these a spot at base followed by a streak in each of the interspaces 3, 4, 6 and 8, an outer spot only in interspace 5, and a basal spot in interspace 7; finally, a complete series of small subterminal spots. Hind wing: a streak in cell with a spot above its outer apex; a streak followed by a spot in each of the interspaces 1, 6 and 7; three elongate spots in interspaces 2 and 3 and two in interspaces 4 and 5; finally, a series of four slender subterminal lunules in interspaces 2 to 5. Underside similar, with similar but slightly broader markings. Female similar, ground-colour duller, more fuliginous black; markings similar, on the fore wing slightly broader, on the hind wing slightly narrower, than in the male.

Subspecies

• G. m. megarus
• G. m. megapenthes
• G. m. sagittiger
• G. m. fleximacula
• G. m. marthae
• G. m. tiomanensis

See also

• Papilionidae
• List of butterflies of India
• List of Butterflies of India (Papilionidae)