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
Southern birdwing

Southern birdwing

Troides minos

A species of Birdwings, Also known as Malabar birdwing

Adorning the skies with wings that resemble stained glass, southern birdwing sails through its habitat with a slow, gliding flight. It displays a strong preference for the nectar of specific flowering plants, although in its larval stage, it feeds on a completely different set of host plants, showcasing a dramatic change in diet as it matures. This change is accompanied by a striking metamorphosis, during which it transforms from a voracious leaf-eater to an elegant sipper of nectars.

General Info About Southern 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 Southern birdwing
Adult Food Sources
Ixora flowers nectar, hibiscus flowers nectar, lantana flowers nectar, jasmine flowers nectar
Larva Food Source
Aristolochia species leaves, aristolochia tagala, aristolochia indica, aristolochia acuminata
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
The Southern birdwing can induce toxic reactions varying in severity. Nevertheless, these toxins primarily target their prey and predators and are usually not fatal to humans.
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
The Southern birdwing is often found near the corolla, where its fluffy hairs easily pick up pollen, assisting in the pollination of the plant.
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Southern birdwing feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Species Status of Southern birdwing
It is endemic to south India. It is more common in the Western Ghats of south India.
Rectangle
Distribution Area of Southern birdwing
South India
Rectangle
Life Cycle of Southern birdwing
Egg The egg of the southern birdwing is often spherical or ovular, laid on host plants. It's minute in size and changes color over time, typically indicating the embryo's development.
Larva Upon hatching, southern birdwing's larva, commonly called a caterpillar, continuously eats and grows, molting multiple times. Swollen with nutrients, their colors and patterns may vary based on species.
Pupal After a final molt, the southern birdwing forms a chrysalis. Within, it transforms radically, tissues rearranging into new structures. The chrysalis may exhibit cryptic colors for camouflage.
Adult Emerging from the chrysalis, the adult southern birdwing inflates its wings and dries. It showcases a vibrant exoskeleton, now capable of flight, mating, and dispersal to new areas.
Rectangle
Predators of Adult Southern birdwing
Birds, monkeys, spiders, dragonflies, mantises
Rectangle
Interesting Facts About Southern birdwing
Southern birdwing can adjust their body temperature using solar radiation, angling their wings to absorb or deflect sunlight.
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Southern birdwing
Tips for Finding Southern 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
Youth Habitat of Southern birdwing
Tropical Rainforests, Forests and Woodlands
Rectangle
Adult Habitat of Southern birdwing
Tropical Rainforests, Forests and Woodlands
Rectangle
How Can You Attract Southern birdwing
Adult southern birdwing may be attracted to traps with fermented sweet baits or flower nectar substitutes since they are drawn to feed on nectar from flowers.
Rectangle
What is the Best Weather to Observe Southern birdwing
Mild, sunny, and windless weather is most suitable for finding southern birdwing as this kind of weather is optimal for their flight and feeding activities.
Rectangle
How and Where Can You Find Southern birdwing at Different Life Stages
Egg Southern birdwing eggs are typically laid singly on the host plant. Look for them on the underside of leaves of the host plant, using a magnifying glass if necessary for clearer visibility.
Larva Southern birdwing larvae can be found on host plants, where they feed. Search for signs of feeding, such as chewed leaves, and look for the caterpillars themselves, which may blend with the foliage.
Pupal Southern birdwing pupae are usually attached to the host plant or nearby structures. They may be camouflaged, so inspect the stems and underside of leaves, as well as surrounding areas for the chrysalis.
Adult Southern birdwing can be spotted feeding on nectar from flowers, basking, or patrolling for mates. Visit gardens, meadows, or forests with flowering plants, and be patient as they may alight only briefly.
Are Southern 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

The southern birdwing can cause toxic reactions with a wide range of severity. However, the toxins are typically targeted at their prey and predators. They are usually not fatal to humans.

Rectangle

Are Southern 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 Southern 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
Attract Plant Feature
Color, Shape
Southern birdwing visits flowers primarily for nourishment. It's attracted to the vibrant colors and distinct shapes of blooms. As it feeds on pollen, southern birdwing inadvertently transfers pollen from one flower to another, aiding in plant reproduction. This process is essential for both the ecosystem and the continuation of various plant species.
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 Southern 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