Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges
Tropical North Queensland, Australia.
[ Back ] [ Home ] [ Up ] [ Next ]
[ Site Map ] [ Wildlife Search Engine ]

• This butterfly is also referred to as the Cairns Birdwing.
• It is the largest species of butterfly found in Australia, where the female has a wingspan of 20cm.
• It has a slower, more relaxed flight than the Ulysses.
• It too is found in the rainforest clearings.
• The male birdwing is coloured in green gold and black.
• It sometimes sets a territory near the larval food plant, a vigorous large leafed vine (Aristolochia tagala).
• The males do an early morning patrol of their search of emerging females.
• Females are often mated as soon as they emerge from their cocoons and it is not unusual for 2 or 3 males to be seen attempting to copulate with one female at once.