Birdwing Butterfly vs Intermedia Sandfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Birdwing Butterfly | Intermedia Sandfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ornithoptera alexandrae | Lutzomyia intermedia |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Psychodidae |
| Size | 210-310 mm wingspan | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania | Southeastern Brazil |
| 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.
Intermedia Sandfly
A tiny sandfly found in southeastern Brazil that is a major vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Atlantic Forest regions. It thrives in peridomestic environments near deforested areas and is attracted to light. It is most active during humid nights near forest remnants.
Did You Know?
Deforestation of the Atlantic Forest has brought this sandfly into closer contact with humans, increasing leishmaniasis cases.