Birdwing Butterfly vs Buff-tip
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Birdwing Butterfly | Buff-tip |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ornithoptera alexandrae | Phalera bucephala |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Notodontidae |
| Size | 210-310 mm wingspan | 55-68 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Oceania | Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
Birdwing Butterfly
The largest butterfly in the world with a wingspan up to 31 cm. Found only in a small area of Papua New Guinea. Females are larger but males have brighter blue-green coloring.
Did You Know?
Queen Alexandras birdwing is so large it was first collected by shooting it with a shotgun — it remains the worlds largest butterfly with a wingspan wider than a dinner plate.
Buff-tip
A moth that mimics a broken birch twig with remarkable precision when at rest. Its silvery-grey wings end in a buff-coloured patch resembling exposed wood.
Did You Know?
Caterpillars feed communally in large groups and can completely defoliate small trees.