Translate

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.

6 comments:

Denis Wilson said...

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

Paul said...

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

randomtruth said...

Most excellent. What a great new year treat.

Mr. Smiley said...

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

Mr. Smiley said...

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

Patricia K. Lichen said...

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