The species was named for Otto von Kotzebue, commander of the Russian expeditionary ship Rurik. Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz served as physician and naturalist aboard the Rurik on a circumnavigational voyage from 1815 to 1818.
Subspecies
P. k. bilara (Page & Treadaway, 1995) (Philippines (Bohol, Cebu))
P. k. deseilus (Fruhstorfer, 1911) (Philippines (Mindoro, Marinduque, Masbate, Ticao, Panay, Negros, Sibuyan Islands))
P. k. kotzebuea (Philippines (western and central Luzon))
P. k. mataconga (Page & Treadaway, 1995) (Philippines (southern Luzon))
P. k. philippus (Semper, 1891) (Philippines (Samar, Leyte, Dinagar, Mindanao, Panaon, Camiguin de Mindanao, Siargao, Homonhon, Sarangani))
P. k. tindongana (Page & Treadaway, 1995) (Philippines (north-eastern Luzon, Babuyanes))
Page M.G.P & Treadaway, C.G. (2003). Schmetterlinge der Erde, Butterflies of the World Part XVII (17), Papilionidae IX Papilionidae of the Philippine Islands. Edited by Erich Bauer and Thomas Frankenbach. Keltern:Goecke & Evers; Canterbury: Hillside Books. ISBN978-3-931374-45-7