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Cairns Birdwing
Ornithoptera euphorion
-16.7653, 145.667
Field Notes
Description:
Large colourful butterfly, wingspan ~15cm. Most active mid-morning. Circled the host plant many times and laid numerous eggs. Hard to photograph as it never came to rest. Always flapping its wings even when laying her eggs. Pearlescent eggs about 2mm diameter.
Habitat:
Host plant Dutchman's Pipe or Aristolochia tagala. Vine has flowers and green fruit/seed pods (May). Suburban backyard, Clifton Beach QLD
Notes:
A male Clearwing Swallowtail was very territorial wrt the Aristolochia vine. When the Cairns Birdwing approached it tried to chase it away.
Reference Links:
Ornithoptera euphorion - Wikipedia
Species ID Suggestions
Spotted for Missions
Photographed
PublishedMay 4, 2020
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