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.
↑Turlin, B. (1991). "Notes sur les especes du genre Teinopalpus Hope et description de deux nouvelles sous-especes et d'une forme appartenant a ce genre. (Lepidoptera Papilionidae)". Bulletin de la Société Sciences Nat (in French) (70): 3–8.
↑Wang, W.; Suman, D.O.; Zhang, H.; etal. (2020). "Butterfly conservation in China: from science to action". Insects. 11 (10): 1–29.
12Xing, S.; Au, T.F.; Dufour, P.C.; etal. (2019). "Conservation of data deficient species under multiple threats: Lessons from an iconic tropical butterfly (Teinopalpus aureus)". Biological Conservation. 234: 154–164. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2019.03.029.
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 ISBN9783931374624
