Cairns Birdwing vs Macleay's Spectre
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cairns Birdwing | Macleay's Spectre |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ornithoptera euphorion | Extatosoma popa |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Phasmatodea |
| Family | Papilionidae | Phasmatidae |
| Size | Wingspan 120-150mm | 10-14 cm |
| Habitat | Underground | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Oceania | Papua New Guinea |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cairns Birdwing
Australias largest endemic butterfly with males displaying vivid green and black wings. Females are larger and brown with white markings.
Did You Know?
It is the largest butterfly in Australia and was nearly driven to extinction by introduced Dutchmans pipe vines which are toxic to its larvae.
Macleay's Spectre
A large, leaf-mimicking phasmid closely related to the giant prickly stick insect. Its body is covered in lobed projections resembling dried leaves.
Did You Know?
Its lobed body appendages curl and resemble dead, decaying leaves to perfection.