Papilio himeros (Hopffer, 1866)

Linhares, E.S., Brasil; 2/1958 male Carraleo, Brasil April 1949  female
"Brasil" male "Brasil" female

       Rare and extremely local, known from a few remaining colonies in south east and south central Brazil. Formerly widespread and common before the agricultural "development" of SE Brazil. It is an extremely rapid and nervous flier, as if it knew the danger it faced in the near future...  Efforts to breed it in captivity are underway, but it cannot compete with the more aggressive species that feed on cultivated plants ( ie hectorides and torquatus), and is almost certainly headed for extinction within the next 20 years.