Pap. E. A. Rhipheus, _Fabr._--Pap. Rhipheus, _Cramer_, Pl. 385, fig.
A, B.--_Boisduval, Nouvel. Annal. du Museum d’His. Nat._ p. 260, Pl.
8, fig. 1, 2.
This magnificent species is usually about the size of _Papilio
Machaon_, but sometimes it is a good deal larger. The surface is a
deep, velvet-black; the upper wings with numerous transverse lines
and stripes of beautiful golden-green, and a broad band of the same
colour near the middle deeply cleft anteriorly: this band is likewise
continued across the under wings in the direction of the anal angle,
but a large space on the latter is brilliant coppery-red with a violet
reflection, and marked with four or five black spots; besides this
there is another green band near the external margin, the outer edge as
well as the tails fringed with hairs: the tails are three in number,
that most remote from the anal angle longer than the others. On the
under side of the superior wings the green bands are dilated so as to
occupy greater part of the surface; the same side of the inferior pair
is gilded green at the base and extremity; the whole anal region bright
flame colour inclining to purple, with a changeable lustre, prolonged
to the anterior margin and forming a central band, the whole surface
marked with orbicular black spots, which become larger posteriorly.
Body black, fulvous beneath: antennæ wholly black.
The female is about one-third larger than the male, the anal mark
larger and of a golden colour with little mixture of purple.
“This species,” says M. Boisduval, who first completed the natural
history of this insect by describing its various states and
metamorphoses, “which may be considered as the most beautiful
lepidopteron known, inhabits Madagascar. It has been once taken
in Bourbon, whither the caterpillar had probably been transported
accidentally. According to Cramer it is likewise found on the coast of
Coromandel.
“The caterpillar lives on the _Mangifera Indica_. On first issuing
from the egg, it is nearly smooth and of a greenish tint; after the
first moult it assumes a black colour, becomes covered with spines, and
protrudes at pleasure two rose-coloured retractile horns, placed on
the first segment. Having attained its full size it is rather slender,
dilated laterally towards the middle, and is about two or three inches
long. On each side there is a festoon composed of many irregular bands
of white, green, and yellow points: the horns, which were of a delicate
rose-colour, become carmine-red; the first pair of membraneous legs
becomes very short, almost rudimentary, and are of no use in walking;
when in motion, therefore, it curves the centre of its body upwards
into a loop like the caterpillars of _Geometra_ and _Catocala_. Before
undergoing its metamorphoses, it attaches itself by the tail and a
band round the middle, like the caterpillars of _Papilio_, _Colias_,
_Pieris_, &c., or rather like those of _Geometra pendularia_ and
_Gyraria_.
“The chrysalis is elongated and pointed, scarcely angular, of a green
colour with a transverse gilded band; the extremity, which is of a
deeper green, is sprinkled with a great number of golden points.
“The perfect insect comes out in about three weeks. Exposed to the sun,
it developes itself completely in two or three hours, while individuals
born in the shade take nearly a day to develope themselves, and are
usually less brilliant.”