Birdwing Butterfly vs Hoary Edge Skipper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Birdwing Butterfly | Hoary Edge Skipper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ornithoptera alexandrae | Achalarus lyciades |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Hesperiidae |
| Size | 210-310 mm wingspan | 37-47 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Oceania | Eastern United States |
| 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.
Hoary Edge Skipper
A dark brown spread-wing skipper with a frosted white patch along the outer margin of the hindwing underside. Its fast darting flight makes it difficult to follow.
Did You Know?
The name 'hoary edge' refers to the silvery-white frosted margin that distinguishes it from similar dark skippers.