Tithonus Birdwing

Description:

Ornithoptera tithonus belongs to the family PAPILIONIDAE (Swallowtail butterflies) and is endemic to West Papua (previously Irian Jaya) the western half of New Guinea. Like all other birdwing butterflies, it is a strictly protected species. Birdwing's wingspan can be 6 -8 inches, 15-21cms across, with the females larger than the male.

Habitat:

Seen in the Arfak Mountians of West Papua, Indonesia, at around 5,175 ft, or 1,580m

Notes:

The genus Ornithoptera ( regarded by some authors as a subgenus of Troides ) comprises of some of the largest and most magnificent butterflies on Earth. There are 13 species, including the Queen Alexandra Birdwing O. alexandrae, the female of which is the largest butterfly in the world, with a wing span of up to 20cms ( 8" ). Last photo shows the female.