Genus Ornithoptera

This genus of butterflies contains some of the largest and most spectacular known species in the world, notably Ornithoptera alexandrae, one female of which was measured at 33 cm. All species of Ornithoptera are listed on CITES Appendices 2 or 1 (in the case of O.  alexandrae), and seven species are classed as protected animals in Papua New Guinea. Farmers working through IFTA are able to market their specimens, and IFTA is allowed to obtain CITES permits for their export. Unfortunately O. alexandrae is totally protected, due to its vulnerability to extinction, and is not available for export. It is doubtful that the extremely rare O. allottei is a distinct species, but rather a natural hybrid of O. priamus urvillianus and O. victoriae.

Reference books on Ornithoptera

Butterflies of the Australian Region by B. D’Abrera – Lansdowne Press

The Butterflies of Papua New Guinea by Michael Parsons – Academic Press

By Haugum and Lowe

Birdwing Butterflies of the World by B. D’Abrera

Birdwing Butterflies by Otani and Kimura – Endless Series Vol. 7