Protected taxonomic status for Papilio richmondia Gray, [1853] (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Abstract

The well-known Richmond Birdwing butterfly, Ornithoptera richmondia (Gray, [1853]), is a junior subjective synonym of Amphrisius australis Swainson, 1851, which has not been used as a valid name after 1899. To protect the stability of the younger, but widely used name, the older and virtually unknown Amphrisius australis (i.e., the senior subjective synonym) is suppressed under Article 23.9.2 of the Fourth Edition of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. By this action, Papilio richmondia Gray, [1853] becomes a nomen protectum and Amphrisius australis Swainson, 1851 a nomen oblitum.