Sunday, 1 January 2012

Birdwing Emerges


After a couple of weeks development, the chrysalids of the Northern (Cairns) Birdwing, Ornithoptera priamus (Linnaeus),  have finally emerged. Two males were the result of the three that were observed. The third one was not found and may have been taken by a predator.



The butterfly measured approximately 165 mm across and the caterpillars developed on a Dutchman's Pipe, Aristolochia tagala. The more spectacular Dutchman's Pipe, A. elegans, is toxic to caterpillars of this butterfly and local nurseries co-operate by not selling it.

A spectacular butterfly to have in one's garden.

For more information check Michael Braby's volume 1 of the Butterflies of Australia published by CSIRO Publishing.
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6 comments:

  1. Denis Wilson2 January 2012 at 22:36

    What a stunning creature.
    Beautiful.
    But you are showing off for the New Year, surely?
    Cheers
    Denis

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  2. Paul3 January 2012 at 18:38

    That is simply awesome ... well done that man. Happy New Year and all the best - love this blog.

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  3. randomtruth5 January 2012 at 05:06

    Most excellent. What a great new year treat.

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  4. Mr. Smiley5 January 2012 at 12:18

    Thanks Crash and thanks Random. Really appreciate your comments. It's wonderful to live in such a place with so much diversity.
    Wish I knew the plants a bit better.

    Happy New Year to you too.
    D

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  5. Mr. Smiley5 January 2012 at 12:19

    Hi Denis
    Well I guess that's showing off. But there's more to come
    D

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  6. Patricia K. Lichen9 January 2012 at 14:58

    Wow, lovely! Lucky you to have such creatures so close at hand!

    ReplyDelete