Papilio godeffroyi (Semper, 1866)

Western Samoa  July 2003  male size reduced in photo Western Samoa  July 2003  female size reduced in photo
Western Samoa  no date but very OLD specimen  female Coll: M Simon Western Samoa  July 2003  male

    Known only from the S Pacific island of Samoa where it is the only representative of the family; most records are apparently from Western Samoa. It is poorly known and not well represented in collections;  It appears to be related phylogenetically to P. schmeltzi (from Fiji), which also is its closest geographical relative. If related to schmeltzi, it is probably an insect of montane forests, and highly seasonal in occurrence. Photos courtesy of Robert Westphal