Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera croesus lydius)
Pricing: Dead (spread, as pictured): $200 (male)
Geographic Range: Maluku Islands, Indonesia
View: Top View Sex: Male (top) & Female (bottom)
Image Copyright 2003
Barbara Strnadova
Ornithoptera croesus lydius is an uncommon birdwing that is found only on the Maluku Islands of Bacan, Ternate, Tidore, and Halmahera. It lives in the forests of the swampy lowlands. The rich orange color on the males has made this a much sought after species ever since it was first collected by Alfred Russel Wallace, a contemporary of Darwin, who was held in awe by it's beauty. The larvae of Ornithoptera croesus lydius feed on Aristolochia.