The Queen Alexander Birdwing Butterfly is the largest in the world, with its wingspan spread up to an astonishing 25 to 28 cm. Among them, the female butterfly is pure brown, and the body shape is larger than that of males; males are more prominent and have brighter wings. This phenomenon of marked differences between females and males is called “hermaphroditism” (Alien).

However, the bird-winged butterfly, although beautiful, is now an endangered species, found only in the forests of northern Papua Papua New Guinea. There is a single food source for its larvae: a vine plant. The size of Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing is variable considerably. The average length of the forewing in the male is 97 to 100 mm, while, in the female, it is 117 to 126 mm.

The Queen Alexander Birdwing Butterfly is the largest butterfly in the world with its wingspan spread up to an astonishing 25 to 28 cm.
The Queen Alexander Birdwing Butterfly is the largest butterfly in the world, with its wingspan spread up to an astonishing 25 to 28 cm. Photo Credit: Pexels

The geographic distribution is limited to a relatively small area in southeastern Papua New Guinea. However, within its range, there are many areas where the butterfly does not occur, although the host plant grows prolifically.

The main habitat is a low and relatively flat region, but it has also been observed at altitudes up to 900 meters that a vine has rather large, thick leaves and stringy stems covered with a layer of strongly ribbed cork.

This butterfly is considered extremely endangered due to the destruction of habitat and required growth of rainforest and oil palm plantations. Due to its rarity, it is highly prized by collectors in the black market. Canadian researcher Gilles Deslisle was penalized CA$50,000 for illegally importing 6 species in 2001.

Read More: The Basic Life Cycle of Butterfly

largest butterfly
The largest butterfly is considered extremely endangered due to the destruction of habitat and required growth of rainforest and oil palm plantations. Photo Credit – Island in the Net

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