|
|
Post by johnnyboy on Jan 21, 2014 1:11:59 GMT -8
I noticed in the classified ads the "record sized" P.antimachus male(now sold on Ebay). From the photo it looks to be around 22cm wingspan. I have noticed, over the years, that specimens of P. antimachus males sold at various insect fairs appear relatively small, ranging from 15cm to 19cm in wingspan. I have a male I purchased from Watkins & Doncaster in the mid 70's, that has a wingspan circa 22cm and I had assumed, for a long time, that would be an average for a male as I have read 25cm maximium for the species.
Out of interest, what wingspan ranges do others have for P. antimachus?
Johnny
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post by gauthier on Jan 21, 2014 2:37:59 GMT -8
Hello
In the literature, it is said 9.5 inch, so 24.13 cm. 25 should be the extreme!
|
|
|
|
Post by johnnyboy on Jan 21, 2014 3:03:24 GMT -8
Yes, I agree that, just because it is written , it does not necessarily mean that a 25cm wingspan has actually ever been measured for this species. Many quotes for wingspans and insect bodylengths are somewhat dubious in origin.
Johnny
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2014 8:30:23 GMT -8
I have 3 specimens of papilio antimachus, one is 18cm, one is 19cm and I have a huge old specimen which is 22 cm.
|
|
|
|
Post by Adam Cotton on Jan 21, 2014 9:09:18 GMT -8
Wingspan is not really an accurate measurement, as it depends on how the specimen is spread. Of course it would be considerably longer if the forewings are spread out opposite each other, shorter if spread with the lower edge in a straight line (the approximately normal position), and shorter still if spread with the forewings raised above this position, as some people like.
A much better measurement is forewing length, from the joint of the wing with the thorax to the tip of the forewing. This will not vary according to the way the specimen is spread.
Adam.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnnyboy on Jan 21, 2014 9:40:36 GMT -8
I agree Adam. Many species, particularly those where the perpendicular distance between the hind margin of the forewing, and the tip of the forewing is relatively large compared with the other forewing dimensions, such as Coscinocera hercules, the wingspan varies quite a lot depending on the way the specimen is set. P. antimachus, with relatively long narrow wings, will generally suffer less from this setting variation than many other species.
Dunc, 22cm wingspan is big, I have just measured mine with calipers, 20.6 cm, not as big as I had thought.
Johnny
|
|
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2014 10:20:42 GMT -8
yes it dwarfs the other 2 specimens.
|
|
|
|
Post by lordpandarus on Jan 22, 2014 12:53:28 GMT -8
is that from the russian guy that sells an Euphaedra francina with an upside down picture on ebay
He should work on his presentation if he wants to sell anything, or at least convince me that he's serious
|
|
|
|
Post by africaone on Apr 22, 2014 0:25:43 GMT -8
I noticed in the classified ads the "record sized" P.antimachus male(now sold on Ebay). From the photo it looks to be around 22cm wingspan. I have noticed, over the years, that specimens of P. antimachus males sold at various insect fairs appear relatively small, ranging from 15cm to 19cm in wingspan. I have a male I purchased from Watkins & Doncaster in the mid 70's, that has a wingspan circa 22cm and I had assumed, for a long time, that would be an average for a male as I have read 25cm maximium for the species. Out of interest, what wingspan ranges do others have for P. antimachus? Johnny what and how do you mesure excatly ? I think that the length of FW (from base to apex) is the only objective one ! |
|
|
|
Post by johnnyboy on Apr 24, 2014 1:14:12 GMT -8
I don't entirely agree. Most collectors set butterflies with the hind margin of the forewings set at right angles to the body. This being the case, overall set wingspan, for a comparison between specimens of a particular species, is pretty objective. Some specimens can vary in forewing length between left and right wing. This being the case, overall wingspan could be argued to be a more objective measurement for comparative size of specimens within a species.
Johnny
|
|
