Emerald Green Wings (enclosure)

Species Name: Cairns Birdwing

Species Latin Name: Ornithoptera euphorion

Also Known As: Cooktown Birdwing, Northern Birdwing

Native To: The state of Queensland in Australia

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Photo Taken At: Melbourne Zoo

Wingspan: 12.5-18cm (4.9 – 7.1 inches)

Lifespan: 4-5 weeks

Description:

These butterflies are the largest endemic species of butterflies in Australia. Both the males and the females will have a yellow lower body with a bright red thorax. They have black legs, eyes, head, and antennae. Both the male and female will have black wings with a splash of yellow blue and green.

The male will be a considerable size larger in comparison to the female, the male will also feature a brilliant emerald green on a portion of their wings which the female does not have.

Diet:

These insects are particularly attracted to a native vine in Queensland called the Dutchman's Pipe (Aristolochia Tagala). Ironically a different species of the same vine (Aristolochia Elegans) are poisonous the the Cairns Birdwing. These butterflies will feed on nectar through their short 4-5 week lifespans.

These butterflies due to their size resort to flapping their wings vigorously whilst feeding on nectar in order to support their own weight.

Behaviour:

Due to the short lifespans of these insects they often engage shortly after emerging from their pupal stage. All Birdwings native to Australia share the same mating behaviour. The female will slowly fly from place to place occasionally resting on a leaf with her wings outspread and flat.

The Male will find the female then proceed to hover about 20-50cm (7.9 - 19.7 inches) above the female. If the female moves from her resting spot the male will chase her hoping to engage her interest enough to mate.

After mating has been completed it is known for the male to continue to stay around the female to defend her. This behaviour is to ensure that mating plug left behind does not get dislodged by another male butterfly as it does not fully harden for just over a day.

When the female is ready to lay her eggs she will fly around looking for the appropriate plant to lay her eggs on. She will use chemical taste receptors on her forelegs in order to locate the appropriate food plant. A female can lay about 300 eggs within her lifetime.

Conservation:

Although the Cairns Birdwing appears to be currently listed as Least Concern the Convention and International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has all Birdwing butterflies registered in their database due to over collection of the Birdwing family of butterflies and their high black market value among collectors.

The Birdwing butterflies are protected by various organizations, countries and states including the state of Queensland in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and other countries. Various breeding programs have been set up to encourage the breeding of specific breeds/sup species of the Birdwing butterflies. This ensures the stability of the butterflies species, some of the specimens in the breeding program are also traded to ensure a supply of perfect specimens where needed whilst also reducing illegal trade which in turn protects wild specimens from being targeted.

Further Reading (general information):

Cairns Birdwing Wikipedia: Ornithoptera euphorion – Wikipedia

Birdwing Butterflies Wikipedia: Birdwing - Wikipedia

Australian Butterflies: The Cairns Birdwing Butterfly - Australian Butterfly Sanctuary (australianbutterflies.com)

Australian insects: Cairns Birdwing Butterfly | Australian Insects Website (australian-insects.com)

Queensland Museum Fact Sheet PDF: www.qm.qld.gov.au/~/media/Docu…