Taxonomic segregation of the Swallowtails of the genus Graphium (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) of Kerala part of Western Ghats using morphological characters of external genitalia

Abstract

Studies on the genitalia of four species of Papilionids belonging to the tribe Leptocercini were made. The structure of vinculum, uncus, valvae and phallus of the male genitalia and the bursa, ductus and ovipositor of the female were found to be useful in taxonomic segregation of these butterflies. This highlights the extreme practical importance of external genitalic structures in the identification of these butterflies and improves upon earlier characters for generic and specific determinations based mainly on the wing venation, size and shape of palpi, and frons.