Mimicry in Butterflies/Chapter 13

The genus Papilio is a large and heterogeneous collection. It was pointed out by Haase that it falls into three distinct sections, of which one—the Pharmacophagus section—provides those members which serve as models in mimicry; while in the other two sections are found mimics, either of Pharmacophagus Swallow-tails, or of models belonging to other groups. Though Haase's terms have not yet come into general use with systematists, there is little doubt that the genus Papilio as it now stands must eventually be broken up on these lines. To say that one species of Papilio mimics another is therefore somewhat misleading; for the differences between the Pharmacophagus group and the other two are such as to constitute at any rate generic distinction in other groups. For convenience of reference a table has been added in which the various Papilios mentioned in the text have been assigned to their appropriate sections, and referred to their respective models.