Goliath Birdwing

Description:

Ornithoptera goliath belongs to the family PAPILIONIDAE (Swallowtail butterflies. It is the second largest butterfly in the world, after the Queen Alexandra's birdwing. Ornithoptera goliath is strongly sexually dimorphic, with the female larger than the male and a basic colour of dark brown. Their flight is leisurely, but controlled and powerful. Their wingspan can be 6-8 inches across, or 15-21 cms.

Habitat:

Ornithoptera goliath lives in rainforests of New Guinea and adjacent smaller islands. This one was seen in the Arfak Mountians of West Papua, Indonesia, at around 5,175 ft, or 1,580m