A note on four butterflies recorded by Montrouzier (1856) as members of the genus Euploea Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from Woodlark Island (Muyua), Papua New Guinea

Abstract

ABSTRACT The life of Father Jean Xavier Hyacinthe Montrouzier (1820–1897) is briefly reviewed, with special reference to the 5 years he spent on Woodlark Island (Muyua), Papua New Guinea, and his subsequent academic studies while briefly resident in Australia. Of the four species listed by Montrouzier as members of the genus Euploea in his 1856 paper on the Lepidoptera of Woodlark, two do undoubtedly belong to the genus as currently recognised: Euploea leucostictos and E. boisduvalii (Danaini: subtribe Euploeina). A third species, originally described by Macleay as a species of Euploea but now included in the genus Tirumala (Danaini, Danaina), was correctly identified by Montrouzier. The fourth, for which Montrouzier introduced a new species name, appears to represent either a species of Neptis (Limenitidinae) or Tellervo (Danainae, Tellervini). This name, Euploea transfixa Montrouzier, is however both a nomen dubium and a nomen oblitum.