πŸ¦‹ Butterflies & Moths

Richmond Birdwing

Ornithoptera richmondia

Vulnerable

About Richmond Birdwing

A large subtropical birdwing butterfly with green and black males and brown females. It is threatened by habitat loss and a toxic introduced vine.

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Did You Know?

Larvae that accidentally feed on the invasive Dutchman's pipe vine are poisoned and die.

How to Identify Richmond Birdwing

Richmond Birdwing (Ornithoptera richmondia) belongs to the order Lepidoptera, family Papilionidae. Adults typically measure 11-13 cm wingspan.

Richmond Birdwing Habitat

Richmond Birdwing is found in forests habitats, particularly across Australia. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.

Richmond Birdwing Diet and Feeding

Richmond Birdwing feeds primarily on nectar from flowers. In doing so, it acts as an important pollinator, transferring pollen between plants and contributing to plant reproduction and biodiversity.

Where Is Richmond Birdwing Found?

Richmond Birdwing can be found in Australia, where it inhabits forests environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.

Distribution Map

Where Richmond Birdwing can be found

Is Richmond Birdwing Dangerous?

Richmond Birdwing is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk. Like most insects, it prefers to avoid human contact and will typically flee rather than confront a perceived threat.

Richmond Birdwing Role in Nature

Richmond Birdwing plays an important role as a pollinator. By visiting flowers to feed on nectar or pollen, it transfers pollen between plants, aiding in reproduction and helping to maintain plant diversity. Pollinators are essential for the production of many fruits, vegetables, and wildflowers.

Seasonal Activity

Jan
Feb
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Aug
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Dec
Peak activity Moderate Low / dormant

Frequently Asked Questions About Richmond Birdwing

What does Richmond Birdwing look like?

The Richmond Birdwing typically measures 11-13 cm wingspan.

Where is Richmond Birdwing found?

The Richmond Birdwing is found in Australia and typically inhabits forests environments.

What does Richmond Birdwing eat?

The Richmond Birdwing feeds primarily on nectar from flowers.

Is Richmond Birdwing dangerous to humans?

The Richmond Birdwing is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk.

Is Richmond Birdwing endangered?

The Richmond Birdwing is currently classified as Vulnerable by conservation assessments. Habitat loss and environmental changes are among the primary threats to its population.

What is an interesting fact about Richmond Birdwing?

Larvae that accidentally feed on the invasive Dutchman's pipe vine are poisoned and die.

Cite This Page

APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Richmond Birdwing (Ornithoptera richmondia). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/richmond-birdwing

MLA:
"Richmond Birdwing." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/richmond-birdwing.