A note on four butterflies recorded by Montrouzier (1856) as members of the genus Euploea Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from Woodlark Island (Muyua), Papua New Guinea

ABSTRACT

The life of Father Jean Xavier Hyacinthe Montrouzier (1820–1897) is briefly reviewed, with special reference to the 5 years he spent on Woodlark Island (Muyua), Papua New Guinea, and his subsequent academic studies while briefly resident in Australia. Of the four species listed by Montrouzier as members of the genus Euploea in his 1856 paper on the Lepidoptera of Woodlark, two do undoubtedly belong to the genus as currently recognised: Euploea leucostictos and E. boisduvalii (Danaini: subtribe Euploeina). A third species, originally described by Macleay as a species of Euploea but now included in the genus Tirumala (Danaini, Danaina), was correctly identified by Montrouzier. The fourth, for which Montrouzier introduced a new species name, appears to represent either a species of Neptis (Limenitidinae) or Tellervo (Danainae, Tellervini). This name, Euploea transfixa Montrouzier, is however both a nomen dubium and a nomen oblitum.

KEYWORDS:

• Euploea leucostictos
• Euploea boisduvalii
• Tirumala hamata
• Euploea transfixa
• Neptis nausicaa
• Neptis praslini
• Tellervo zoilus
• Danainae
• Limenitidinae

Acknowledgements

The author is greatly indebted to Val McAtear (Royal Entomological Society library), John Tennent, Rosie Jones and Blanca Huertas (NHM London). John, together with two anonymous referees, made helpful suggestions for improvements to the MS. Nicola Lowndes (NHM DCP Digital Services) kindly made the original photographs used for Figures 2–5. I am also grateful to The Leverhulme Trust for support (Emeritus Fellowship, 2017–2022, EM-2017-088\2).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the The Leverhulme Trust [Emeritus Programme].