? Birdwings
Troides magellanus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Suborder: Ditrysia Superfamily: Papilionoidea Family: Papilionidae Subfamily: Papilioninae Tribe: Troidini Genus: Troides Hübner, 1819
Species
Many; see article Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... Phyla Porifera (sponges) Ctenophora (comb jellies) Cnidaria Placozoa Subregnum Bilateria Acoelomorpha Orthonectida Rhombozoa Myxozoa Superphylum Deuterostomia Chordata (vertebrates, etc. ... Subphyla and Classes Subphylum Trilobitomorpha Trilobita - Trilobites (extinct) Subphylum Chelicerata Arachnida - Spiders, Scorpions, etc. ... Classes & Orders Subclass: Apterygota Orders Archaeognatha (Bristletails) Thysanura (Silverfish) Monura - extinct Subclass: Pterygota Orders Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Diaphanopteroidea - extinct Palaeodictyoptera - extinct Megasecoptera - extinct Archodonata - extinct Infraclass: Neoptera Orders Blattodea (cockroaches) Isoptera (termites) Mantodea (mantids) Dermaptera (earwigs) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc) Phasmatodea (walking sticks) Embioptera (webspinners) Zoraptera... Super Families Butterflies Hesperioidea Papilionoidea Moths Micropterigoidea Heterobathmioidea Eriocranioidea Acanthopteroctetoidea Lophocoronoidea Neopseustoidea Mnesarchaeoidea Hepialoidea Nepticuloidea Incurvarioidea Palaephatoidea Tischeriodea Simaethistoidea Tineoidea Gracillarioidea Yponomeutoidea Gelechioidea Zygaenoidea Sesioidea Cossoidea Tortricoidea Choreutoida Urodoidea Galacticoidea Schreckensteinioidea Epermenioidea Pterophoroidea Aluctoidea Immoidea Axioidea Hyblaeoidea Thyridoidea Whalleyanoidea Pyraloidea Mimallonoidea Lasiocampoidea Geometroidea Drepanoidea Bombycoidea Calliduloidae Hedyloidea Noctuoidea Families About... Families See Lepidoptera. ... Families Papilionidae Pieridae Nymphalidae Lycaenidae Riodinidae Libytheidae The superfamily Papilionoidea contains all the butterflies except for the skippers, which are classified in superfamily Hesperioidea. ... Type species Papilio machaon (Old World Swallowtail) Subfamilies and genera There are 26 genera and about 605 species: Subfamily Baroniinae Baronia Subfamily Parnassiinae Archon Hypermnestra Parnassus Luehdorfia Bhutantis Alancastria Serecinus Subfamily Papilioninae Eurytides Graphium Iphiclides Lamproptera Mimoides Protesilaus Protographium Teinopalpus Atrophaneura Battus Byasa Cressida Euryades Losaria Ornithoptera Pachliopta Parides Pharmacophagus... Tribes Leptocircini Troidini Papilioninae occurs world wide with most of the species being found in the tropics. ... Jacob Hübner (1761 - 1826) was a German entomologist. ...

Birdwings are large, tropical papilionid butterflies belonging to the genus Troides, formerly Ornithoptera (from the Latin ornithos [bird] and pteron [wing]). Found in mainland and archipelagic Southeast Asia and Australasia, birdwings are represented by ca. 10–30 species and many subspecies thereof. They are divided between several subgenera (Troides, Trogonoptera, Ornithoptera, and Ripponia) which may be promoted to separate genera under some taxonomic schemes. Birdwings are named for their exceptional size, angular wings, and birdlike flight. Type species Papilio machaon (Old World Swallowtail) Subfamilies and genera There are 26 genera and about 605 species: Subfamily Baroniinae Baronia Subfamily Parnassiinae Archon Hypermnestra Parnassus Luehdorfia Bhutantis Alancastria Serecinus Subfamily Papilioninae Eurytides Graphium Iphiclides Lamproptera Mimoides Protesilaus Protographium Teinopalpus Atrophaneura Battus Byasa Cressida Euryades Losaria Ornithoptera Pachliopta Parides Pharmacophagus... Families Superfamily Hesperioidea: Hesperiidae Superfamily Papilionoidea: Papilionidae Pieridae Nymphalidae Lycaenidae Riodinidae A butterfly is a flying insect of the order Lepidoptera belonging to one of the superfamilies Hesperioidea (the skippers) and Papilionoidea (all other butterflies). ... In biology, a genus (plural genera) is a grouping in the classification of living organisms having one or more related and morphologically similar species. ... Latin is an Indo-European language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... Orders Many - see section below. ... A Laughing Gull on the beach in Atlantic City. ... Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ... Australasia Australasia is the area that includes Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and the many smaller islands in the vicinity, most of which are the eastern part of Indonesia. ... In biology, the most commonly used definition of species was first coined by Ernst Mayr. ... Taxonomy (from Greek verb tassein = to classify and nomos = law, science, cf economy) may refer to: the science of classification (see alpha taxonomy) a classification Initially taxonomy was only the science of classifying living organisms, but later the word was applied in a wider sense, and may also refer to...

Included among the birdwings are the largest and rarest butterflies in the world: the largest, Queen Alexandra's Birdwing (Troides alexandrae); the second largest, the Goliath Birdwing (T. goliath); and the largest Australian butterfly, the Cairns Birdwing (T. euphorion). Another well-known species is Rajah Brooke's Birdwing (T. brookiana), a particularly attractive species named after Sir James Brooke, a Rajah of 19th century Sarawak. Sir James Brooke Sir James Brooke (29 April 1803 – 11 June 1868) was born in Coombe Grove, near Bath, England and became the first White Rajah of Sarawak. ... A Raja (sometimes spelled Rajah) is a king, or princely ruler. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... State motto: Bersatu, Berusaha, Berbakti (Malay: United, Industrious, Dedicated) Capital Kuching Governor T.Y.T Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Chief Minister Y.A.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Haji Abdul Taib Bin Mahmud / Pehin Sri Dr. Hj. ...

Collectors pay high prices for birdwing specimens, which has led (in concurrence with logging and plantation expansions) to sharp population declines. All birdwings are listed in Appendix II of CITES as either vulnerable or endangered, and accordingly their trade is restricted in countries party to the CITES convention. Exceptions are made for captive-bred specimens raised by butterfly farms. Loggers on break, c. ... // Forestry plantations A plantation of Douglas-fir in Washington, USA; note the trees of uniform size and planted in straight lines, and the lack of diversity in the ground flora In forestry, plantations of trees are typically grown as an even-aged monoculture for timber production, as opposed to a... The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between Governments, drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). ... The American bison numbered as few as 750 in 1890 due to extreme overhunting. ...

Adult physical description

Birdwings are typified by large size (up to a maximum body length of 7.6 cm [3 inches] and a wingspan of 30.5 cm [12 inches] in T. alexandrae), showy coloration (in contrasting shades of green, yellow, back, white, and sometimes blue), and slender, lanceolate forewings. With few exceptions (i.e., the New Guinean T. meridionalis and T. paradisea), the hindwings lack tails. Sexual dimorphism is strong, with females appreciably larger and less colourful than males. New Guinea, located just north of Australia, is the worlds second largest island having become separated from the Australian mainland when the area now known as the Torres Strait flooded around 5000 BC. The name papua has also been long-associated with the island: this is discussed further under... Female (left) and male Common Pheasant, illustrating the dramatic difference in form between the sexes Sexual dimorphism is the systematic difference in form between individuals of different sex in the same species. ...

A male Rajah Brooke's Birdwing at the Kuala Lumpur Butterfly House.

Males and females of most birdwings have jet black to brown dorsal forewings, often with the veins bordered in grey to creamy-white. At least one of these darkly-coloured species (T. rhadamathus) possesses thermoreceptors on the anal veins (A2 and A3) of the wings and on the antennal clubs. The antennal receptors of the clubs—which also possess hygroreceptors that measure atmospheric humidity—are known as sensilla basiconica. The thermoreceptors are sensitive to sudden increases in temperature; they are thought to help the butterfly thermoregulate and avoid overheating while basking. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... In biology, a vein is a blood vessel which returns blood from the microvasculature to the heart. ... A thermoreceptor is a sensory receptor that responds to heat and cold. ... Antennae (singular antenna), are the paired appendages connecting to the first (and in crustaceans also to the second) segment of the head of the members of all subphyla of the arthropods except Chelicerata. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Thermoregulation is the ability of an organism to keep its body temperature within certain boundaries, even when temperature surrounding is very different. ...

The colours of most species are pigmentary (via papiliochrome); but one species, T. magellanus, is noted for its use of limited-view iridescence. In T. magellanus, the yellow of the dorsal hindwings is modified by bright blue-green iridescence only when the butterfly is viewed at a narrow, oblique angle. This "grazing iridescence" is brought about through diffraction of light (after back-reflection) by the wings' extremely steeply-set, multilayered rib-like scales (rather than the ridge-lamellae of most other iridescent butterflies, such as Morpho species). Such limited-view iridescence was previously only known from one other species, the lycaenid Ancyluris meliboeus. In A. meliboeus, however, the iridescence is produced by ridge-lamellar scales and features a wider range of colours. In biology, pigment is any material resulting in color in plant or animal cells which is the result of selective absorption. ... The iridescence of the Blue Morpho butterfly wings. ... Diffraction is the bending and spreading of waves when they meet an obstruction. ... Prism splitting light Light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength that is visible to the eye (visible light) or, in a technical or scientific setting, electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength. ... In most biological nomenclature, a scale (Greek lepid) is a small rigid plate that grows out of an animals skin to provide protection. ... Species Morpho godarti Morpho menelaus Morpho hecuba Morpho rhodopteron A Morpho butterfly may be one of over 80 described species of showy, neotropical butterflies found mostly in South America with a few species recorded in southern Mexico and Mesoamerica. ... Subfamilies Lycaeninae - Coppers Miletinae - Harvesters Polyommatinae - Blues Theclinae - Hairstreaks, Elfins The Lycaenidae or copper butterfly are a large family of butterflies, also known as the Gossamer-winged butterflies. ...

Life history

Australia's largest butterfly, this Cairns Birdwing was photographed in Kuranda, Queensland.

Birdwings inhabit rainforests and adults are usually glimpsed along the forest periphery. They feed upon—and are important long-range pollinators of—nectar-bearing flowers of the forest canopy, as well as terrestrial flowers, such as lantana. They are strong flyers and seek sunlit spots in which to bask. Kuranda (16°49′ S 145°36′ E, postcode 4881) is a town in North Queensland poular with tourists. ... Motto: Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Nickname: Sunshine State/Smart State Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Governor Premier Const. ... The Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, Australia. ... A pollinator is the agent that moves pollen from the male anthers of a flower to the female stigma of a flower to accomplish fertilization or syngamy of the female gamete in the ovule of the flower by the male gamete from the pollen grain. ... Wildflowers A flower is the reproductive structure of those plants classified as angiosperms (flowering plants; Division Magnoliophyta). ... Species About 150 species, including Lantana camara Lantana montevidensis Lantana rugulosa Lantana tiliifolia Lantana trifolia Lantana is a genus of about 150 species of perennial flowering plants, native to the Tropics of the Americas and warmer parts of Europe. ...

Breeding behaviour varies little between species: the female's role is relatively passive, slowly fluttering from perch to perch while the male performs an elaborate, quivering yet stationary dance 20–50 cm above her. After mating, females immediately begin to seek appropriate host plants; climbing vines of the genera Aristolochia and Pararistolochia (both in the family Aristolochiaceae) are sought exclusively. The female lays her spherical eggs under the tips of the vine's leaves, one egg per leaf. It has been suggested that Copulation be merged into this article or section. ... The term vine was originally a term for the plant on which grapes grew, from the word for wine (Greek oinos), for which grapes were grown. ... Species See text Aristolochia is a large genus of plants with over 500 species, belonging to the Birthwort family (Aristolochiaceae). ... Genera See text The Aristolochiaceae, or the Birthworth family, are a family of flowering plants with 7 genera and about 400 species belonging to the order Piperales. ... An average Whooping Crane egg is 102 mm long, and weighs 208 grams A baby tortoise emerges from a reptile egg. ...

The caterpillars are voracious eaters but move very little; a small group will defoliate an entire vine. If overcrowded, the caterpillars may resort to cannibalism. Fleshy spine-like tubercles line the caterpillars' backs, and their bodies are dark red to brown. Some species have tubercles of contrasting colours, or pale "saddle" markings. Like other members of their family, birdwing caterpillars possess a retractable organ behind their heads called an osmeterium. Shaped like the forked tongue of a snake, the osmeterium excretes a fetid terpene-based compound and is deployed when the caterpillar is provoked. The caterpillars are also unappealing to most predators due to their toxicity: the vines which the caterpillars feed upon contain aristolochic acid, a poisonous compound known to be carcinogenic in rats. The feeding caterpillars incorporate and concentrate the aristolochic acid into their tissues, where the poison will persist through metamorphosis and into adulthood. The striking caterpillar of the Emperor Gum Moth A caterpillar is the larval form of a lepidopteran (a member of the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). ... Cannibalism in Brazil in 1557 as described by Hans Staden. ... Many animals have longer and more flexible tongues than humans. ... Superfamilies and Families Henophidia Aniliidae Anomochilidae Boidae Bolyeriidae Cylindrophiidae Loxocemidae Pythonidae Tropidophiidae Uropeltidae Xenopeltidae Typhlopoidea Anomalepididae Leptotyphlopidae Typhlopidae Xenophidia Acrochordidae Atractaspididae Colubridae Elapidae Hydrophiidae Viperidae Snakes are cold blooded legless reptiles closely related to lizards, which share the order Squamata. ... Terpenes are a class of hydrocarbons, produced by many plants, particularly conifers. ... This snapping turtle is trying to make a meal of a Canada goose, but the goose is too wary. ... Aristolochic acid is a rodent carcinogen found in Aristolochia species and in Asarum species, both in the Aristolochiaceae family of plants. ... The skull and crossbones symbol traditionally used to label a poisonous substance. ... In pathology, a carcinogen is any substance or agent that promotes cancer. ... Species 50 species; see text *Several subfamilies of Muroids include animals called rats. ... Metamorphosis in biology is physical development of the individual after birth or hatching involving significant change in form as well as growth and differentiation. ...

Birdwing chrysalides are camouflaged to look like a dead leaf or twig. Before pupating, the caterpillars may wander considerable distances from their host plants. In T. alexandrae, it takes ca. four months to get from egg to adult. Barring predation, this species can also survive up to three months as an adult. A chrysalis is a type of pupa, a protective case within which an insect is undergoing metamorphosis from a larva into the adult form. ... Anolis caroliensis showing blending camouflage and counter-shading. ... Chrysalis of Gulf Fritillary in Georgetown, South Carolina Pupation of Aglais urticae A pupa (plural: pupae or pupas) is the life stage of some insects undergoing transformation. ...

List of species

Trogonoptera trojana male in Kuala Lumpur butterfly house.

Trogonoptera brookiana
Trogonoptera trojana
Troides aeacus
Troides amphrysus
Troides andromache
Troides criton
Troides cuneifera
Troides darsius
Troides dohertyi
Troides haliphron
Troides helena
Troides hypolitus
Troides magellanus
Troides minos
Troides miranda
Troides oblongomaculatus
Troides plato
Troides prattorum
Troides rhadamantus
Troides riedeli
Troides staudingeri
Troides vandepolli
Ornithoptera aesacus
Ornithoptera croesus
Ornithoptera chimaera
Ornithoptera goliath
Ornithoptera meridionalis
Ornithoptera paradisea
Ornithoptera priamus
Ornithoptera tithonus
Ornithoptera rothschildi Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

References

• Australian Museum of Natural History. BioBulletin: Birdwing butterflies. Retrieved June 28, 2005 from http://sciencebulletins.amnh.org/biobulletin/biobulletin/story845.html
• Campbell, A. L., Naik, R. R., Sowards, L., and Stone, M. O. (2002). Biological infrared imaging and sensing. Micron 33, 211–225.
• Monteith, G. (2000). Queensland Museum: Birdwing butterflies. Retrieved June 28, 2005 from http://www.qmuseum.qld.gov.au/inquiry/leaflets/leaflet0033.pdf
• Reed, R. D., and Sperling, F. A. H. (2001). Tree of Life: Papilionidae. Retrieved June 28, 2005 from http://tolweb.org/tree?group=Papilionidae&contgroup=Papilionoidea
• Savela, M. (2005). Troides. Retrieved June 28, 2005 from http://www.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/papilionoidea/papilionidae/papilioninae/troides/
• Vukusic, P., Sambles, J. R., and Ghiradella, H. (2000). Optical classification of microstructure in butterfly wing-scales. Photonics Science News, 6, 66–66.