Papilio Linnaeus, 1758

Kolosova, Yulia S. & Bolotov, Ivan N., 2020, Recent invasion of the Lime Swallowtail Papilio demoleus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) to Seychelles, Ecologica Montenegrina 28, pp. 31-39 : 33-35

Genus Papilio Linnaeus, 1758

Papilio demoleus malayanus Wallace, 1865

= Papilio erithonius loc. f. malayanus Wallace (1865): 59.

Figs 1-4 , Table 1

Material examined. SEYCHELLES: Mahé, Chalets d’Anse Forbans, 4.7816S, 55.5228E, garden, 06.i.2020, 1♂ [wingspan 73 mm], Bolotov leg. ; the same locality, 13.i.2020, 1♂ [wingspan 72 mm], Bolotov leg. [ RMBH] .

Diagnosis. Based on the original description and a subsequent revision, this geographic race can be distinguished from the nominate subspecies by the following features: (1) “the two spots on the lower margin of the cell of the hind wings wanting, anal spot redder, and the ocellus at the outer angle darker” ( Wallace 1865: 59), and (2) “the transverse band of the hindwings is broader within the cell than in typical P. demoleus , so that it is less deeply sinuate at the end of the cell” ( Rothschild 1895: 281). Our Seychelles specimens do not have the two spots on the lower margin of the cell of the hindwings, and the transverse band on their hindwings is clearly less deeply sinuate at the end of the cell than that in the nominate subspecies ( Fig. 2 ). There are several reliable diagnostic features (i.e. the shape and position of four yellow spots on the upperside of both wings) that can be used to distinguish ssp. malayanus from the Australasian subspecies ( Smith and Vane-Wright 2008; Lambkin 2017). Based on these features, the sample from Mahé also fully agrees with ssp. malayanus . Nielsen’s markings ratio estimates in our specimens ( NMR = 035- 0.38) are situated within the gap between ssp. malayanus and ssp. sthenelus (see Nielsen 2017a) and can be considered the lowest boundary of this diagnostic parameter for ssp. malayanus .

Relative abundance and dating of the invasion. First records of Papilio demoleus from Mahé were at the end of 2016 ( Matyot 2018). We did not seen this species in the southeastern edge of Mahé in February 2016 and November 2017. Further records were from amateur photos that appeared in March 2017, whereas this species was already common at Pointe au Sel (southeastern coast of Mahé) and Victoria in May 2018 ( Table 1; Matyot 2018). In January 2020, adult individuals were recorded daily (except on rainy days) in various localities across the southeastern coast of Mahé ( Figs 2-3 , Table 1). During that period, it was one of the most abundant butterfly species at this area. The African Grass Blue Butterfly Zizeeria knysna (Trimen, 1862) ( Lycaenidae ) was another common species, while the Twin Swift Borbo gemella (Mabille, 1884) ( Hesperiidae ) was rare, with only two specimens being collected.

Distribution and habitats in Seychelles. Our data indicate that now this species has probably dispersed throughout Mahé, although its occurrences clearly correspond to disturbed environments in coastal areas such as gardens, towns and villages ( Fig. 1 ). Matyot (2018) recorded Papilio demoleus eggs on immature citrus plants and a pupa on Limonia acidissima L. ( Rutaceae ). We did not find larvae of this species, but recorded a typical damage to citrus tree (Citrus sp., Rutaceae ) leaves caused by feeding of what is thought to be Papilio demoleus larvae, in the garden of Chalets d’Anse Forbans ( Fig. 4 ). To the best of our knowledge, other large citrus-feeding Lepidoptera species are absent in Seychelles.

Native range of the subspecies. Southern Indochina, the Malay Peninsula, and Singapore ( Rothschild 1895; Eastwood et al. 2006; Mérit et al. 2009; Morgun and Wiemers 2012; Lambkin 2017).

Non-native range of the subspecies. Southern Europe (one record in Portugal), Greater Sunda Islands (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Bali), Wallacea (Sulawesi, Sumbawa, Lombok, Timor, Leti, Flores, Wetar, and Alor), New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Christmas Island, Torres Strait Islands (Dauan Island), Greater Antilles Islands (Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Nueva Gerona), and Seychelles ( Mahé) ( Moulds and Lachlan 1987; Matsumoto 2002; Guerrero et al. 2004; Eastwood et al. 2006; Homziak and Homziak 2006; Benyamini et al. 2007; Garraway et al. 2009; Mérit et al. 2009; Tennent et al. 2011; Morgun and Wiemers 2012; Fernández- Hernández and Minno 2017; Lambkin 2017; Nielsen 2017a; this study); an unconfirmed record from the Solomon Islands (Guadalcanal Island) ( Nielsen 2017b).

Figures

Figure 1. Records of Papilio demoleus malayanus from Mahé, Seychelles: 1 – Anse Marie-Louise, 2 – Chalets d’Anse Forbans, 3 – Double Tree by Hilton Seychelles Hotel, 4 – Anse Royale, 5 – Pointe au Sel, 6 – Mare Anglaise, 7 – Mont Buxton, and 8 – Victoria (see Table 1 for details).

Figure 2. Two male specimens of Papilio demoleus malayanus collected in the garden of Chalets d’Anse Forbans, Mahé, Seychelles: A-B) on 6 January 2020 (A – upperside; B – underside) [RMBH]; and C-D) on 13 January 2020 (C – upperside; D – underside) [RMBH]. Scale bar = 10 mm. (Photos: Yulia S. Kolosova).

Figure 3. Live individual of Papilio demoleus malayanus in the garden of the Double Tree by Hilton Seychelles Hotel, Mahé, Seychelles, 8 January 2020 (Photo: Yulia S. Kolosova).

Figure 4. Typical damage of citrus tree (Citrus sp., Rutaceae) leaves caused by feeding of what is thought to be Papilio demoleus malayanus larvae in the garden of Chalets d’Anse Forbans, Mahé, Seychelles, 18 January 2020 (Photo: Yulia S. Kolosova)