Papilio moerneri (Aurivillius 1919)

New Ireland Jan 1924 [Holotype] male Leg: Eichorn  BMNH	Lelet Plateau, New Ireland 1000 meters between Oct 2 and Dec 15 1959[holotype] female Leg: Brandt ANIC
Lelet Plateau, New Ireland, 1000 meters
Lelet Plateau, New Ireland, 1000 meters blue form	Lelet Plateau, New Ireland, 1000 meters green form

    Among the most poorly known of the swallowtails,this species is extremely rare in collections. Only a handful of specimens were in existence until recently, when a colony was re-located in a remote Lelet Plateau of New Ireland. It is confined to the highlands on the islands of New Britain and New Ireland, much of which is dense forest and remains poorly explored and at times dangerous for travellers. It is closely related to P toboroi which flies in the North Solomon islands, and probably shares many of its habits withthis species.