Teinopalpus aureus, the golden Kaiser-i-Hind, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It is found in China, Vietnam and Laos, with several named subspecies The species is considered threatened by the wildlife trade hence is under Appendix II of CITES as part of the listed genus Teinopalpus. It is also specifically protected in China as grade-1 under the Wildlife Protection Law of the PRC (First-class of National Key Protected Animals).
Distribution Species distribution models show that mountain forests in mid to high elevations of Southern China, Laos, and Vietnam present suitable habitats for T. aureus. However, many of these areas have poorly connected habitat networks and the extent of distribution is predicted to be declining as several portions are facing extensive deforestation and severe climate change effects.
Subspecies Teinopalpus aureus aureus Mell, 1923 Teinopalpus aureus eminens Turlin, 1991 Teinopalpus aureus guangxiensis Chou & Zhou, 1994 Teinopalpus aureus hainanensis Lee, ? (per Bauer & Frankenbach, 1998) Teinopalpus aureus laotiana Collard, 2007 Teinopalpus aureus nagaoi Morita, 2003 Teinopalpus aureus shinkaii Morita, 1998 Teinopalpus aureus wuyiensis Lee, ? (per Bauer & Frankenbach, 1998)
References
Further reading
Erich Bauer and Thomas Frankenbach, 1998. Butterflies of the world (=Schmetterlinge der Erde). Papilionidae - 1: Achillides, Bhutanitis, Teinopalpus. Edited by Erich Bauer and Thomas Frankenbach. Keltern: Goecke & Evers; Canterbury: Hillside Books
External links Teinopalpus aureus eminens, on Butterflies of Indochina Images Teinopalpus aureus shinkaii, on Butterflies of Indochina Images External image