Postman Butterfly vs Cairns Birdwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Postman Butterfly | Cairns Birdwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliconius melpomene | Ornithoptera euphorion |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | Wingspan 55-80mm | Wingspan 120-150mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Underground |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | South America, North America | Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Postman Butterfly
A slender long-winged butterfly with black wings and a bold red band across the forewings. It is a classic example of Mullerian mimicry.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few butterflies that can digest pollen as well as nectar giving it amino acids that extend its lifespan to several months.
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.