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Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae)

The Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing holds the title of the largest butterfly in the world, captivating enthusiasts with its striking beauty and vibrant colors. Discovered in 1906 by Albert Stewart Meek in the lush forests of New Guinea, this species immediately garnered attention for its sheer size and the dazzling contrast between the sexes. However, its magnificence is shadowed by its status as an endangered species, primarily due to deforestation and habitat destruction.

Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing

Scientific Classification


  • Family: Papilionidae
  • Genus: Ornithoptera
  • Scientific Name: Ornithoptera alexandrae

Overview

The Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing is not only remarkable for its size but also for its complex life cycle and unique adaptations to its environment. From its initial stage as a caterpillar to the majestic adult butterfly, each phase of its life is a testament to nature’s intricacy. Despite facing challenges such as habitat loss, this species continues to thrive in specific regions of New Guinea, offering a glimmer of hope for conservationists.

Description and Identification

Caterpillar

The caterpillar stage of the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing is as striking as its adult form, featuring a black body adorned with vibrant red tubercles. A distinctive cream-colored band wraps around its middle, marking a stark contrast against its darker body. From the moment of hatching, these larvae show a strong survival instinct, consuming their eggshell before moving on to the foliage and flowers of the toxic Aristolochia schlecteri, their host plant.

Pupa

Transitioning into the pupa stage, it takes about six weeks for the caterpillar to metamorphose into a chrysalis. The cocoon showcases a golden yellow to tan hue, punctuated with unique black markings, encapsulating the butterfly for approximately a month. This critical period in the butterfly’s lifecycle is a beautiful prelude to the emergence of the adult.

Adult Butterfly

Sexual Dimorphism: The adult stage of the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism. The males and females differ significantly in size and coloration, making it easy to distinguish between the two.

Color and Appearance: Females boast brown wings accented with white chevron patterns on their primary wings and submarginal lines of triangles on the hindwings. Males, on the other hand, display an iridescent blue-green shade across their wings, highlighted by a central black band. Both sexes reveal a muted version of their dorsal side when their wings are closed.

Images of Queen Alexandra Birdwing ButterflyQueen Alexandra Birdwing ButterflyAverage Wingspan: Males have an average wingspan of 20 cm (8 inches), while females can reach up to 25 cm (9.8 inches), underscoring the species’ title as the largest butterfly in the world.

Flight Pattern: The flight pattern of the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing is slow and erratic, adding to the mesmerizing effect of its large, colorful wings in motion.

Eggs

The eggs of the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing are large, light yellow, and have a flattened base, carefully laid by the females on the leaves of the host plant.

Quick Facts

DistributionPapua and New Guinea, especially in the Oro Province.
HabitatLowland coastal rainforests.
Lifespan of AdultsUp to 3 months.
Host PlantsReliant on the toxic Aristolochia schlecteri.
Adult DietFlower nectar.

How to Identify Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing?

Identifying the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing butterfly involves noting several key characteristics. Look for the immense wingspan, which is unparalleled among butterflies. The coloration is another giveaway, with males showcasing vibrant blue-green wings and females displaying brown with patterned marks. The habitat—lowland coastal rainforests in Papua and New Guinea—also provides a crucial clue. Observing the erratic flight pattern and the butterfly’s preference for the nectar of specific flowers can also aid in identification. Recognizing the larval stage involves searching for the caterpillars on the Aristolochia schlecteri, marked by their distinct black and red coloring with a cream band.

Did You Know?

  • The female Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing can lay over 240 eggs in her lifetime, contributing significantly to the survival of the species.
    By consuming the toxic Aristolochia schlecteri, the caterpillars become toxic themselves, deterring predators.
  • The sex of the pupa can be distinguished by a charcoal patch on the male’s wing cases, a unique feature among butterflies.
  • This magnificent species was named in honor of Queen Alexandra of Denmark, reflecting its regal stature.
  • Weighing as much as 12 grams, the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing is considered ‘heavy’ for a butterfly, further emphasizing its unique status in the butterfly kingdom.

Conclusion

The Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing butterfly is a marvel of nature, embodying beauty, resilience, and the complexities of evolution. Its journey from a caterpillar to the world’s largest butterfly is a vivid example of nature’s wonders. Despite facing threats from human activities, the continued existence of this species is a testament to the importance of conservation efforts. By protecting their habitats and understanding their life cycle, we can ensure that future generations will also be captivated by the majestic Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing.

Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing Pictures

Queen Alexandra Birdwing MaleQueen Alexandra’s Birdwing PhotosQueen Alexandra’s Birdwing FemalePictures of Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing
Ornithoptera Alexandrae

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Scientific Classification

  • Family: Papilionidae
  • Genus: Ornithoptera
  • Scientific Name: Ornithoptera alexandrae
Published by Avatar on November 9, 2018.
Last Updated: March 1, 2024. ✅ Verified by: Butterfly Team