Archduke

Description:

not in the greatest shape, about 9cm

Habitat:

tropical rainforest

Notes:

I spotted this in Bantimurang national park, near Makassar. I only spent a few hours there and it rained for part of it so it wasn't great for spotting but I thought I would see more butterflies. The park is famous for its butterflies, as renowned 18th century naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace collected many specimens here and remarked at the abundance and diversity of butterflies. Unfortunately, many of them are illegally collected and housed into glass frames for purchase. Stall after stall lining the entrance to the park were filled with these. I don't know about you, but for me I'd rather see the butterflies flying around than in glass and hanging up somewhere like art. I have no problem with butterflies being farmed for this purpose and some are now, but many are still illegally collected.