Home › Insecta › Papilionidae › Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera spp.)
SPECIES PROFILE
Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera spp.)
Ornithoptera
IUCN STATUS
Vulnerable (some species)
CONSERVATION STATUS
Vulnerable (some species)
CLASS
Insecta
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Papua, Sulawesi, Indonesia
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Rainforests
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Arthropoda
CLASS
Insecta
ORDER
Lepidoptera
FAMILY
Papilionidae
GENUS
Ornithoptera
📋 Description
SIZE
15-28 cm wingspan, ~0.02 g
COLORATION
Black with green/yellow patches
ADAPTATIONS
Strong wings; long proboscis
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Rainforests
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Papua, Sulawesi, Indonesia
REPRODUCTION
Eggs on host vines; larvae in weeks
DIET DETAILS
Nectar
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Deforestation, illegal trade
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Winged Spectacles: Birdwing butterflies, among the largest, use vivid green wings to signal mates, their 28 cm wingspan dazzling in Papua's forests. Their 44 endemic species face trade bans to curb collection, preserving Indonesia's iconic insects.
2
Pollination Pioneers: Sipping nectar, they pollinate rainforest flowers, with each butterfly visiting hundreds daily, vital for Papua's ecosystems. Their larvae rely on specific vines, tying their survival to intact forests like those in Lorentz National Park.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Lorentz National Park
Raja Ampat Islands
Wasur National Park
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Search flowering plants at midday to spot large colorful butterflies.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
April-October. Dry season increases butterfly activity in forest clearings.
