Troides helena helena

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Common birdwing
French : Papillon aile-d’oiseau commun

Classification
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Papilionidae
Notes : Up to 25 other subspecies known.

Identification
The species can reach a wingspan of 14 cm. Forewings black, hindwings bright yellow with black blotches (sometimes with a small row of spots over it) on edges. Females have whitish stripes and bigger double row of black dots.

Range and habitat
Subspecies endemic to Java and Bali. Species also occurs from east India and South China to Malaysia and western and western-central Indonesia. Lives in primary and secondary forests, woodlands, suburban gardens.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species has a huge range and is very adaptable. Some populations are growing thanks to conservation initiatives, others are declining.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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