Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Beneficial Effects
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Similar Insects
Icon about
Popular Insects
Queen Alexandra's birdwing

Queen Alexandra's birdwing

Ornithoptera alexandrae

A species of Ornithoptera

Native to the rainforests of Papua New Guinea, queen Alexandra's birdwing represents one of the largest butterfly species, with females exhibiting significantly greater wingspans than males. The striking sexual dimorphism is also evident in coloration—males boast iridescent hues across their wings, while females are predominantly brown. These majestic insects have a diet that changes from primarily plant-eating as caterpillars to nectar-feeding upon reaching adulthood.

General Info About Queen Alexandra's birdwing
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of Queen Alexandra's birdwing
Colors
Black
Green
Yellow
Habitat
lowland coastal rainforest; coastal rainforest
Adult Food Sources
Hibiscus, ixora, mussaenda, schefflera, saritaea
Larva Food Source
Aristolochia schlecteri, aristolochia dielsiana, aristolochia tagala, aristolochia acuminata
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Siphoning mouthparts
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Species Status of Queen Alexandra's birdwing
Endangered
Rectangle
Predators of Queen Alexandra's birdwing Larvae
Birds, rodents, ants, wasps
Rectangle
Predators of Adult Queen Alexandra's birdwing
Birds, spiders, praying mantises, lizards
Rectangle
Interesting Facts About Queen Alexandra's birdwing
Queen Alexandra's birdwing have special scales on their wings that reflect light, giving them a vivid iridescent appearance unlike any other species in their Order.
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Queen Alexandra's birdwing
Tips for Finding Queen Alexandra's birdwing
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
How Can You Attract Queen Alexandra's birdwing
Queen Alexandra's birdwing are attracted to certain types of bait or traps. Adults are often lured by using traps baited with fermenting fruit or sweet substances, as they feed on nectar.
Rectangle
Habitat Preferences of Queen Alexandra's birdwing Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of queen Alexandra's birdwing are normally laid on the leaves of Aristolochia vines in canopy forests. After hatching, the larvae can be found munching on those same host plants at various heights, depending on the vine's growth. As they develop, the larvae remain on or near their food plants. To find these caterpillars, one would search the foliage of these vines. The pupae of queen Alexandra's birdwing are more cryptic; they blend into the surrounding vegetation or the underside of leaves where they are suspended. During the search for pupae, close inspection of the host vines in the same canopy forests is required. Adults queen Alexandra's birdwing are typically found fluttering around the upper canopy of tropical rainforests, hence to spot them, one may need to search in clearings or on hilltops where these butterflies go to forage and find mates.
Rectangle
When is the Best Time to Observe Queen Alexandra's birdwing
The suitable time to find queen Alexandra's birdwing is generally on warm, sunny days. Adults are most active during mid-morning and early afternoon when temperatures are favorable.
Rectangle
What is the Best Weather to Observe Queen Alexandra's birdwing
Queen Alexandra's birdwing are less active during cold or rainy weather. Therefore, finding them is more feasible on dry and warm days with little to no wind for optimal flying conditions.
Rectangle
How and Where Can You Find Queen Alexandra's birdwing at Different Life Stages
Egg Queen Alexandra's birdwing eggs are usually laid on the host plants. Search for them on the underside of leaves or along stems, particularly focusing on the plant species known to be preferred by queen Alexandra's birdwing.
Larva Queen Alexandra's birdwing caterpillars can be found on or near their food plants. Look for chewing damage on leaves or frass (caterpillar droppings) around the base of plants to locate them.
Pupal Queen Alexandra's birdwing chrysalides are often hidden in vegetation, attached to stems or leaves. They can be spotted by carefully examining potential pupation sites, which are again typically near the food plants.
Adult Queen Alexandra's birdwing adults can be seen flying in their habitats, especially in areas with abundant flowers. They can be observed feeding on nectar or basking in the sun. The best way to find them is by walking through their habitats and watching for their distinctive flight patterns.
Are Queen Alexandra's birdwing harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle

Are Queen Alexandra's birdwing harmful to humans?

They are not a poisonous butterfly, but they have a special gland that secretes bad smells and chemicals.
Beneficial Effects of Queen Alexandra's birdwing
Discover the hidden benefits of insects
Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
Download the App for Free
Pollinator
Pollinator
Prefer Plant Type
Aristolochiaceae
Pollination Behavior Reason
Eat Pollen Or Nectar
Queen Alexandra's birdwing is an incredible pollinator, often seen fluttering from flower to flower. Its preference for vibrant colors leads it to pollinate a variety of Aristolochiaceae, transferring pollen effectively as it consumes the floral bounty. This activity not only sustains the insect but also aids in the vital process of plant reproduction.
Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
More Insects that are Similar to Queen Alexandra's birdwing
White-crescent swallowtail
White-crescent swallowtail

Mimoides thymbraeus, the white-crescent swallowtail, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It is found from Mexico to El Salvador and Honduras, where it is widespread and common.

Read More
Arrow
Chinese windmill
Chinese windmill

Adorned with wings that showcase a mesmerizing canvas of black and iridescent blue, chinese windmill flutters through temperate forests and grassland biomes. The undersides of its wings reveal a mottled pattern of grey and white, thought to offer camouflage among foliage. As a caterpillar, it is equally impressive with a specialized diet primarily consisting of Aristolochia plant species, but this diet diverges greatly once it transforms, with the adult preferring the nectar of a varied bouquet of flora.

Read More
Arrow
Common windmill
Common windmill

Length 110 to 140 mm Sexes alike Black and white above with prominent swallowtail Red bodied - tail has a red tip Forewings completely black above and below Hindwings crenulated deeply twice on each side of swallowtail. Large oblong white discal spot in 5 (both upperside and underside) and sometimes in 4. Upperside hindwing has irregular marginal red crescents in 1a, 2 and 3 and a small white spot in 4.

Read More
Arrow
White dragontail
White dragontail

A denizen of the Asian tropics, white dragontail presents a delicate, almost ethereal appearance with its translucid wings edged in a contrasting hue. These creatures undergo a remarkable transformation from voracious, leaf-munching larvae to nectar-sipping aerial acrobats, with adults often seen fluttering in sunlit clearings, partaking in the bounty of wildflowers.

Read More
Arrow
Green dragontail
Green dragontail

Characterized by a striking contrast of colors, green dragontail displays a remarkable wing pattern that enhances its visibility among the foliage. As an adult, it unfurls wings that serve both as a display to potential mates and as a warning to predators. The larval form of this creature exhibits an entirely different approach to survival, with a diet focused on certain host plants, which they consume voraciously to fuel their transformation into the elegant aerial adults.

Read More
Arrow
Common clubtail
Common clubtail

Adorned with wings that showcase a dramatic contrast of black and creamy-white, common clubtail features vibrant red and blue eye-catching markings which deter predators. The larvae are distinctly equipped with fleshy spines and feed on host plants, undergoing remarkable transformation to become nectar-imbibing adults, fluttering amongst flowering landscapes. This delicate dance of metamorphosis and vivid colors is a captivating spectacle of nature's artistry.

Read More
Arrow
Yellow Gorgon
Yellow Gorgon

Meandrusa payeni, the yellow gorgon, is a species of swallowtail found in parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia. It belongs to the hooked swallowtails genus, Meandrusa, of the family Papilionidae. It is also called the outlet sword or the sickle.

Read More
Arrow
Variable cattleheart
Variable cattleheart

The upper side of the wings is black with a row of red postmedian spots. The underside of the wings is also black with a row of pink and whitish spots.

Read More
Arrow
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow