The Largest Butterfly in the World
The Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing – A Giant Among Butterflies Among all the beautiful butterflies found across the globe, there is one species that towers above the rest in sheer size – the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing. This massive insect holds the record for being the largest butterfly in the world.
Supersized Wings
With wings spreading an incredible 25-28 cm (9.8-11 inches) across, the female Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing is a true giant of the butterfly world. To put that in perspective, her wingspan is about as wide as a standard classroom ruler is long! The males are only slightly smaller at around 20 cm (8 inches) across.
A Spectacular Sight
These enormous butterflies make their home exclusively in the rainforests of eastern Papua New Guinea. Their striking black and white patterns on the wings, along with iridescent green markings in males, make them a breath-taking sight to behold.
Endangered Beauty
Habitat Loss is a major threat to the existence of Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing. However, this natural wonder is increasingly rare and endangered. Habitat loss from deforestation for plantations is the biggest threat to the species’ survival.
Poaching for Collectors
The species is also highly prized and illegally traded by insect collectors willing to pay thousands of dollars for just a single specimen.
Protection Efforts
To protect this remarkable butterfly, it has been declared completely off-limits for commercial trade under CITES regulations. Conservationists hope that by protecting the Queen Alexandra’s remaining rainforest habitats, this biggest of all butterflies can persist and flourish for generations to come.
Summary:
Here is the information we talked about in this article in in tabular form:
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Common Name | Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing |
Scientific Name | Ornithoptera alexandrae |
Wingspan | Females: 25-28 cm, Males: ~20 cm |
Native Habitat | Rainforests of eastern Papua New Guinea |
Conservation Status | Endangered (IUCN) |
Major Threats | Habitat loss, illegal collection/trade |
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