Queen Alexandra’s birdwing

[prettygoodword]

Queen Alexandra’s birdwing - n., a very large butterfly (Ornithoptera alexandrae) of the swallowtail family native to New Guinea.


And by very large, I mean it's the largest butterfly in the world, with females reaching a wingspan of over 28cm/11in. The smaller male is also very pretty indeed:


Thanks, Swallowtail and Birdwing Butterfly Trust!

And yes, this is the birdwing butterfly that's been in Animal Crossing since the first game. It is also, I'm sure you agree, even more suss for Australasian Q animals than yesterday, but I couldn't find better in Australia itself, so there we are. Also, pretty. Named in 1907 by amateur naturalist Walter Rothschild after Queen Alexandra of Denmark.


Back next week with the usual mix of words, with a break Monday for the Stateside holiday.

---L.

Comments

[calzephyr]

Ooooh AC mention :-)

[prettygoodword]

:)