Queen Alexandra's Birdwing
Common NameQueen Alexandra's Birdwing
Scientific NameOrnithoptera alexandrae
FamilyPapilionidae
SubfamilyPapilioninae
Wingspan (mm)280
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsdark brown, black, cream, yellow
HabitatLowland rainforests
Geographic RangeOro Province, Papua New Guinea
Host PlantsAristolochia schultzei, Aristolochia dielsiana
Flight PeriodYear-round
Flight Stylegliding
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Lifecycle NotesEggs are large and spherical, laid singly on host plants. Larvae are black with fleshy red tubercles and a pale saddle, feeding exclusively on *Aristolochia* vines. The pupa is large and mottled brown, camouflaged against its surroundings.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its immense size, the female is larger than the male and lacks the male's iridescent green and blue. Its broad, dark wings with cream/yellow markings are key identifiers, especially the prominent spots on the hindwings.
Description
The female Queen Alexandra's Birdwing, the world's largest butterfly, features broad, rounded dark brown to black wings adorned with cream or yellowish patches on the forewings and a distinct submarginal band of cream/yellow spots on the hindwings.
