Graphium bouyeri birketsmithi, Bollino & Bouyer, 2024

Graphium bouyeri birketsmithi n. ssp.

A1: Transverse bars of the FW discal cell very thin.

B1: Postdiscal marks in FW cells M3-CuA2 smaller and separated by a dark space along veins.

C1: Outer margin of the FWs more prominently concave at vein M2.

D1:Dark submarginal spots in R1 and R2 of the hindwing rectangular, covering more than half the corresponding space.

Larger: FW length 41.07-45.87, average 44.15, n= 33 males.

Male genitalia ( Fig. 3 View Fig ). – General scheme typical of the Graphium policenes group. Dorsal terminal process with a large internal upper branch, and the external lower branch formed by a serrated basal tooth. The dorsal harpe is more finely serrated than in G. policenes .

Etymology. – The new subspecies is dedicated to the late Jorgen Birket-Smith (*1920-†1983), who first (1960) suspected that a species closely related to Graphium policenes existed in Cameroon and neighboring regions.

Distribution. – Western-central Africa, including Cameroon, Republic of Congo, western Democratic Republic of Congo.

We take this opportunity to summarize in a diagram the external differences between Graphium policenes and Graphium bouyeri plus Graphium liponesco (the latter two easily distinguishable from each other due to the different male genital pattern) ( Fig. 3 View Fig ).