# Birdwing Butterfly (*Ornithoptera alexandrae*) The Birdwing Butterfly is one of the largest butterflies in the world! Its colorful wings can be yellow, green, and blue. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Rainforests of New Guinea - **Also known as:** Queen Alexandra's Birdwing ![Birdwing Butterfly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425892/objects/5594.jpg) ## Appearance The Queen Alexandra's Birdwing is the world's largest butterfly, with females displaying dark brown wings marked with cream and yellow spots. Males are smaller, showcasing striking iridescent green and blue patterns on velvety black wings, differing from other butterflies with their unique bird-like wing shape. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Papilionidae - **Genus:** Ornithoptera ## Interesting facts - Female Birdwings can grow wings almost a foot wide, much larger than males! - Its spiky, dark caterpillar looks nothing like the stunning adult butterfly! - The Queen Alexandra's Birdwing lays eggs as big as a tiny pearl! - These butterflies are named for their huge, bird-like wings that help them soar high! ## Special abilities - **Gliding Mastery:** Birdwing Butterfly has an enormous wingspan that allows them to glide with incredible elegance through dense rainforest foliage. - **Toxic Defense:** Birdwing Butterfly can deter predators by absorbing toxins from their host plants as larvae, making adults unappetizing if eaten. - **Iridescent Signals:** Birdwing Butterfly males have dazzling iridescent green wings that flash in sunlight, attracting mates and warning predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 160-310 mm - **Size:** 70-80 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Birdwings sip nectar from flowers; caterpillars munch on poisonous vines. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat leaves of specific toxic vines, while adults drink flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Aristolochia schlecteri leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Sipho vine (*Aristolochia schlecteri*) — Caterpillars feed exclusively on its toxic leaves. - **Pollinates:** China Rose (*Hibiscus rosa-sinensis*) — Visits flowers for nectar, aiding plant reproduction. - **Eaten by:** Giant Golden Orb Weaver (*Nephila pilipes*) — Can occasionally trap them in its strong golden webs. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Birdwing Butterfly? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Birdwing Butterfly's wingspan? 160-310 mm ### How big is Birdwing Butterfly? 70-80 mm ### How long does Birdwing Butterfly live? 60-90 days ### How fast can Birdwing Butterfly fly? 15 km/h ### What does Birdwing Butterfly eat? Adult Birdwings sip nectar from flowers; caterpillars munch on poisonous vines. ### Where is Birdwing Butterfly usually found? Rainforests of New Guinea ### How does Birdwing Butterfly hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Butterfly House, Missouri Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/butterfly-house-missouri-botanical-garden) — Missouri, US · Zoo ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Birdwing Butterfly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/birdwing-butterfly)