Papilio godeffroyi
Encyclopedia
Godeffroy's Swallowtail, Papilio godeffroyi (Samoan
) is a butterfly
of the Papilionidae family.
Papilio godeffroyi is endemic to all of Samoa
, but it is now found only on the island of Tutuila
, where it is uncommon but widespread and restricted to undisturbed or near-undisturbed rainforest. This is only around 5% of its original range, and the species has recently been submitted to the IUCN Red List
as critically endangered.
The larva feeds on Micromelum minutum (Rutaceae
), locally called talafalu.
The species, named to honour Johann Cesar VI. Godeffroy
, is illustrated on a Samoan postage stamp issued on 14 December 2001.
Samoan language
Samoan Samoan Samoan (Gagana Sāmoa, is the language of the Samoan Islands, comprising the independent country of Samoa and the United States territory of American Samoa. It is an official language—alongside English—in both jurisdictions. Samoan, a Polynesian language, is the first language for most...
) is a butterfly
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
of the Papilionidae family.
Papilio godeffroyi is endemic to all of Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
, but it is now found only on the island of Tutuila
Tutuila
Tutuila is the largest and the main island of American Samoa in the archipelago of Samoan Islands. It is the third largest island in the Samoan Islands chain of the Central Pacific located roughly northeast of Brisbane, Australia and over northeast of Fiji. It contains a large, natural harbor,...
, where it is uncommon but widespread and restricted to undisturbed or near-undisturbed rainforest. This is only around 5% of its original range, and the species has recently been submitted to the IUCN Red List
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
as critically endangered.
The larva feeds on Micromelum minutum (Rutaceae
Rutaceae
Rutaceae, commonly known as the rue or citrus family, is a family of flowering plants, usually placed in the order Sapindales.Species of the family generally have flowers that divide into four or five parts, usually with strong scents...
), locally called talafalu.
The species, named to honour Johann Cesar VI. Godeffroy
Johann Cesar VI. Godeffroy
Johann Cesar VI. Godeffroy was a German trader and Hanseat.He was the founder of Museum Godeffroy.-Family history and the trading company J.C. Godeffroy & Sohn:...
, is illustrated on a Samoan postage stamp issued on 14 December 2001.