Papilio mechowianus
# Papilio mechowianus

Papilio mechowianus is a species of swallowtail butterfly from the genus Papilio that is found in Angola and the Republic of the Congo.

## Taxonomy

It is a member of the zenobia species group. In the zenobia group the basic upperside wing pattern is black with white or yellowish bands and spots. The underside is brown and basally there is a red area marked with black stripes and spots. In the discal area there is a yellowish band with black stripes and veins. Females resemble butterflies from the genus Amauris. Both sexes lack tails.

The clade members are:

* Papilio cyproeofila Butler, 1868
* Papilio fernandus Fruhstorfer, 1903
* Papilio filaprae Suffert, 1904
* Papilio gallienus Distant, 1879
* Papilio mechowi Dewitz, 1881
* Papilio mechowianus Dewitz, 1885
* Papilio nobicea Suffert, 1904
* Papilio zenobia Fabricius, 1775

## Description

It is very similar to Papilio cyproeofila. It differs from P. mechowi in having the white band broad. See original description.

