Queen Alexandra Birdwing
Common NameQueen Alexandra Birdwing
Scientific NameOrnithoptera alexandrae
FamilyPapilionidae
SubfamilyPapilioninae
Wingspan (mm)175
Wing Patterniridescent
Primary Colorsgreen, blue, black
HabitatLowland tropical rainforests
Geographic RangeOro Province, Papua New Guinea
Host PlantsAristolochia schlecteri
Flight PeriodYear-round
Flight Stylegliding
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Lifecycle NotesFemales lay large, spherical eggs on the host plant, Aristolochia schlecteri. Larvae are black with fleshy red tubercles and feed voraciously on the leaves before pupating into a large, mottled brown chrysalis.
Identification TipsMales are distinguished by their iridescent blue-green and black coloration and elongated forewings. Females are significantly larger, predominantly brown with cream and white markings, and lack the male's vibrant iridescence.
Description
The male Queen Alexandra Birdwing features elongated, iridescent blue-green forewings with black veins, contrasting with smaller black hindwings that have a central blue-green patch.
