Cairns Birdwing Butterfly

SPECIES Cairns Birdwing Butterfly
TAXONOMY Ornithoptera euphorion
STATUS Least Concern (Redlist.org); Least Concern (ala.org.au)

One of Australia’s most iconic and largest butterflies, the Cairns Birdwing is easily identified by its strong, soaring flight and vivid colouration. Although more common in summer and autumn, it can be viewed throughout the year from Mackay to Cooktown in the tropical rainforests of northern Queensland. Both males and females have a large, red and yellow thorax and abdomen. The females have white, black, and yellow wings and are significantly larger with a wingspan of 18 cm. The males are brilliantly coloured with green and gold and have a wingspan of 13 cm.

Primary Larva Food Source

  • Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia tagala aka Aristolochia acuminata)

Caterpillar

  • Dark brown up to 6.5 cm in length.

  • Long, black tipped orange fleshy spines. 

  • Stored toxins from food source deter predators.

Chrysalis

  • Fastened by a cremaster and central girdle.

  • Resembles a lifeless, dried leaf.

Threats
As an adult butterfly, the Cairns Birdwing has a lifespan of 4 to 5 weeks. While adult butterflies can feed on the nectar of many flowers, the larva of the Cairns Birdwing has co-evolved with a specific variety of vine (Aristolochia tagala aka Aristolochia acuminata) which is lethal to most other caterpillars and toxic to any predator seeking to make a meal out of the larva. Separated by over 500 kms to the south, its counterpart is the Richmond Birdwing who has co-evolved with the Birdwing Butterfly vine (Aristolochia praevenosa). 

The female butterfly uses chemical receptors in their legs and abdomen to determine suitability of the plant source, as the larvae will not survive if the egg has been laid on the incorrect one.  One of the biggest threats is the introduction of an exotic vine from South America called Aristolochia elegans. It is a garden ornamental and has escaped into the bush in many areas and is proven toxic.

As the Cairns Birdwing is a large and brilliantly coloured, it is in demand from collectors and fetches high black market prices. 

Updated 5 May 2021