Singapore butterflies

[erebia]

I have a question regarding the identification of some butterflies I observed quite some time ago. Unfortunately I have no photos but I believe enough additional information that a determination may be possible. In late December of 1971 (yes, more than 47 years ago) I was in junior high and our family visited The Tiger Balm Gardens in Singapore. I remember seeing good numbers of a large butterfly soaring in the canopies of some of the taller trees near the exhibits. The butterflies were essentially black and green. I've been wondering for a long time if these were Trogonoptera, an example from the P. paris group, or something entirely different? They seemed pretty large so I'm guessing they were birdwings. At the time I knew nothing of Asian butterflies nor their habitats and I haven't been back to Singapore since then to take a second look. Thanks for any insight!

[joachim]

Hi,

try to look ast pictures in the internet. Trogooptera and paris/arcturus etc. are different even in memory.

[Adam Cotton]

Sadly I doubt that they are still there now, Singapore has grown a lot since 1971. As for their identity, the only Achillides group species that could possibly be present in Singapore would be Papilio palinurus, as the others don't occur there.

Adam.

[erebia]

Thanks Adam for the information. My recollection of seeing those spectacular butterflies is still vivid and brings back great memories even though I really couldn't get a good look at them (I could only see the undersides of the butterflies and they were flying 8-10 meters above me). Thanks again!
Dale