Chimera Birdwing vs Queen Butterfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Chimera Birdwing | Queen Butterfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ornithoptera chimaera | Danaus gilippus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 140-190 mm wingspan | 67-78 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Mountains | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Oceania (Papua New Guinea - highlands) | Southern USA, Central and South America |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Chimera Birdwing
A large montane birdwing butterfly found in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. It occurs at elevations between 1200 and 2000 metres, higher than most other birdwings. Males have bright green and gold markings on black wings.
Did You Know?
Named after the chimera of Greek mythology, this butterfly's iridescent wing colours shift dramatically depending on the angle of light.
Queen Butterfly
A close relative of the Monarch butterfly with similar orange coloring but darker. Found across the Americas. Like the Monarch, it sequesters toxic cardenolides from milkweed.
Did You Know?
A close cousin of the Monarch that is equally toxic but does not undertake the same famous migration.