NYMPH (CH.) ATHAMAS. Alis supra nigris, utrinque fasciâ mediâ latâ glaucâ
subhyalinâ, subtus lunulis ferrugineis marginatâ. (Expans. Alar. 3. unc.)
SYN. Papilio (Equit.. Achiv.) Athamas, _Drury, App. v._ 2. _Cramer, Pap.
pl._ 89. _f._ C. D. _Encycl. Méthod._ 9. 353. (Nymphalis A.)
Papilio Pyrrhus, _Donovan_. _Insects of India_, _pl._ 4. _f._ 2. (exel.
syn. Linn.)
HABITAT: China (_Drury_). India (_Donovan_). Java (_Latr. et God._).
_Upper Side._ The head is brown, with four minute yellow frontal spots.
The wings are dentated, and of a fine red brown, each with a broad
brimstone coloured bar, rising near the middle of the anterior wings;
and, crossing them and the posterior ones transversely, meeting near the
extremity of the body. {6}Above these, near the tips, are two small oval
spots of the same colour. The posterior wings have four tails, of nearly
equal length, above which are seven small brimstone spots, placed on
each, along the external edge.
_Under Side._ The broad transverse bar is of a pearl colour, being
surrounded next the body by a narrow red brown border, edged with black,
between which and the base, are two small black spots. The two spots,
near the tips, are also seen on this side, being of a pearl colour. The
external edges of the anterior wings are of an olive colour; the
remaining parts being of a very resplendent greyish purple. Several small
kidney-shaped marks are placed along the outer side of the pearl bar. The
posterior wings have a narrow orange-coloured border running along their
external edges; and above it, are seven small black spots, edged at the
top with white. Above these is a shade of brown olive, over which are
some black angular marks, with red crescents above them.
Donovan has confounded this species with the Linnæan Pap. Pyrrhus, although
Drury had previously pointed out the diversity of the two species.