Protected taxonomic status for Papilio harpalyce Donovan, 1805 (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), a junior primary homonym of Papilio harpalyce Cramer, 1777 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Abstract

Papilio harpalyce Donovan, 1805 from Australia is a junior primary homonym of Papilio harpalyce Cramer, 1777 from Africa and, under most circumstances, cannot be used to designate the pierid butterfly currently known as Delias harpalyce (Donovan, 1805). The oldest available name for the Australian species is Papilio lewini Thon, 1827. Under Article 23.9.2 of the Fourth Edition of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, however, we regard the name Papilio harpalyce Donovan, 1805 as valid and qualified as a nomen protectum and declare the name Papilio lewini Thon, 1827 as invalid and qualified as a nomen oblitum. Show more