Proposed as a subspecies of Macroglossum corythus. Synonymized with Macroglossum corythus pylene by Kitching and Rougerie et al., 2018, Biodivers. Data J. 6: e22236.
Rothschild & Jordan, 1903, Novit. zool. 9 (suppl.): 662, distinguished Macroglossum corythus xanthurus from Macroglossum corythus pylene on the basis that the tail is more extended yellow and generally paler; the underside of the thorax is more brownish yellow in the middle; and the palp is also shaded with brownish yellow, thus is much less greyish white than in other subspecies. However, examination of a longer series than was available to Rothschild & Jordan at the time of the original description shows that these features are inconsistent, and none serve adequately to diagnose Macroglossum corythus xanthurus from Macroglossum corythus pylene. So, Macroglossum corythus xanthurus is here treated as a junior synonym of Macroglossum corythus pylene.
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical):
Ed Baker,
Katherine Bouton
Alice Heaton
Dimitris Koureas,
Laurence Livermore,
Dave Roberts,
Simon Rycroft,
Ben Scott,
Vince Smith
