Ornithoptera alexandrae Rothschild, 1907

MORPHOLOGY


External characteristics


Male 
Forewing length (mm): 74-103. Wingspan (mm): 147-204.
Largest butterfly species known. Wings remarkably elongated and rounded. Forewings: Upperside forewing black, turquoise in frontal quarter, bluish turquoise along hind margin and part of outer margin, and along cubitus. Underside forewing black along veins and margins, rest bluish-yellowish. Upperside hindwing bluish-turquoise, veins outlined in black, black margin, blak patch from base through cell to beyond cell, and black patch in anal region. Underside hindwing yellowish and bluish, veins outlined in black. 

Female 
Forewing length (mm):
 100-187.  Wingspan (mm):132-250.
Wings rather elongated. Forewing dark brown with arrow-like submarginal and median spots. Hindwing dark brown, large dirty yellowish internervular areas, which may contain rounded median spots.
 

Subspecies and variation

 
No subspecies are recognized, as is understandable for a species with such a restricted range.

Similar species

Unmistakable in both sexes.

 

source: Jan Moonen, peronal communication 2020

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