The underside of the hindwing has the golden markings typical of Troides species but sometimes reduced.

Rarely males have faint suggestions of gold colouration on the upper surface of their hindwing.

Females may show yellow markings on their hindwings, and both sexes have whitish to tan stripes on their forewings (veins are bordered by white colour).

There is a small yellow area with dark veins on the hindwings.

It was named by Robert Henry Fernando Rippon, for William Doherty.