[1][2][3] The species belongs to the diana species-group, relatively large butterflies within the genus Philiris.

Like in other six members of the group, the hindwing underside of P. papuanus is lacking a black spot on the inner margin, and the male genitalia have long and asymmetric valvae.

[2] Wind and Clench originally described a subspecies Philiris diana papuanus, suggesting that it may be a species.

[3] There is a different bollygum host species for the larvae of each P. papuanus subspecies.

The nominotypical subspecies P. p. papuanus feeds on Litsea guppyi,[2] while the Australian P. p. kerri on L.