ornithoptera brookeana brooke's borneo butterfly (male) Birdwings are papilionid butterflies native to mainland and archipelagic
Birdwings are papilionid butterflies native to mainland and archipelagic Southeast Asia and Australasia (with one Indian species), and are usually regarded as belonging to three genera: Ornithoptera, Trogonoptera and Troides. Some authorities include additional genera and the number of species range between 10 and 30 depending on the taxonomic treatment. Birdwings are named for their exceptional size, angular wings, and birdlike flight. Included among the birdwings are some of the largest butterflies in the world: the largest, Queen Alexandra's Birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae); the second largest, the Goliath Birdwing (O. goliath); and the largest Australian butterfly, the Cairns Birdwing (O. euphorion). Another well-known species is Rajah Brooke's Birdwing (Trogonoptera brookiana), a particularly attractive species named after Sir James Brooke, the first White Rajah of 19th century Sarawak. With the exception of O. alexandrae, all birdwings are listed in Appendix II of CITES as either vulnerable or rare, and accordingly their trade is restricted in countries party to the CITES convention. Exceptions are made for captive-bred specimens which are marketed through the Insect Farming and Trading Agency of New Guinea. However, O. alexandrae is totally protected (Appendix I: endangered) and cannot legally be sold. This species is now known to be more common than previously thought and at the 2006 meeting of the CITES Animals Committee it was recommended that this species be relegated to CITES II, so allowing commercial exploitation of this butterfly. Richmond Birdwing butterflies depend on the plant Aristolochia praevenosa which they need for their caterpillars. However, the very similar Aristolochia elegans (Dutchman's Pipe) which can be found in many Australian backyards, kills the caterpillars. Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Suborder: Ditrysia Superfamily: Papilionoidera
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Photo credit: © 19th era / Alamy / Afripics
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