Genus Driopa
 
Taxonomic context and evidence
Recent publications (Condamine et al. 2018; Korb 2020; Leraut P. 2016; Tian et al. 2023) on the biology, morphology and molecular phylogeny of the Parnassiini have provided clear evidence that this tribe is composed of several highly homogeneous species groups, which could justify the establishment of multiple distinct genera. Surprisingly, many scientists continue to adhere to Staudinger's early 20th-century classification, which is based solely on wing patterns and still assigns all species to the single genus Parnassius. Korb (2020) has expertly synthesised the various aspects of this issue and produced a compelling annotated checklist. Among other distinguishing traits, species in the Driopa group (with Papilio mnemosyne Linnaeus, 1758 as the type species) display a male genitalia structure notably distinct from that of other groups, especially when compared to Parnassius s. str. (with Papilio apollo Linnaeus, 1758 as the type species). The differences are as follows:
 
Structure Driopa Parnassius s. str.
Uncus Bifid vestigial
  Each part pointed rounded
Subunci attached to each part of the uncus attached to the tegumen
  very thin and pointed downwards robust and outward-pointing
 
Conclusion
These morphological traits provide strong evidence for recognising Driopa as a distinct genus within the Parnassiini tribe.
 
References
Condamine F., Rolland J., Höhna S., Sperling F. & Sanmartín I. 2018. Testing the Role of the Red Queen and Court Jester as Drivers of the Macroevolution of Apollo Butterflies. — Systematic Biology 67(6): 940–964. doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syy009
 
Korb S. 2020. An annotated checklist of the tribus Parnassiini sensu Korshunov of the Old World (Lepidoptera, Papilionidae) — Acta Biologica Sibirica 6: 59-86. doi.org/10.3897/abs.6.e53717
 
Leraut P. 2016. Papillons de jour d’Europe et des contrées voisines. Verrières-le-Buisson: NAP Editions. 1116 p.
 
Tian X., Mo S., Wang H. & Zhang P. 2023. Amplicon capture phylogenomics provides new insights into the phylogeny and evolution of alpine Parnassius butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). Systematic Entomology 48(4): 571–584. doi.org/10.1111/syen.12591
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Archives of Western Palearctic Lepidoptera
Editors-in-Chief: Michel Taymans & Sylvain Cuvelier