Native home: forests in Asia

Estimated numbers: widespread in Asia but listed as 'vulnerable'. Protected in Hong Kong and Indonesia

Size: males have a wingspan of 13-15 centimetres but females measure up to 18cm

The Common Birdwing is found all over Asia. Their range stretches from India in the west, to China in the north, across Southeast Asia to Indonesia in the south.

This pretty lepidopteran is the largest butterfly in Hong Kong. It lives in primary and secondary forests up to one kilometre above sea level.

It eats a climbing vine called Indian birthwort and will only breed on these plants. Studies show that eating Indian birthworts makes the Common Birdwing unpalatable to most predators.

In addition, their bright yellow and black wings also send the signal, 'I taste bad!'

Synonyms: Underline the words that mean:

Order of insects that includes butterflies and moths

Reproduce

Taste bad

Butterfly Myths

Find the antonyms (opposites) for: disliked, common, animal, hate

Their gorgeous wings make butterflies one of the most beautiful and popular creatures in the insect kingdom.

Their distinctive lifecycle from egg to butterfly has made them a symbol of rebirth in Asia.

In Japan the butterfly represents the human soul. In China, two butterflies together symbolise love.

Russians focus purely on this insect's shape: They call it 'bah' bch ka' which means 'bow tie'!

Threats

Choose the correct alternative:

As the Common Birdwing depends on the Indian birthwort for its food and breeding ground, it is very resistant/vulnerable to habitat loss. Conversion of forests to agricultural land is a serious threat to this insect/insectivore.

In addition, the long hind wings and beautiful yellow and black colouring makes these lepidopterans very popular with butterfly collectors.

Listed as vulnerable and protected in many countries, including Hong Kong, specimens bred in captivity may be sold. But gamekeepers/poachers also traffic Common Birdwings caught in the wild.

Home Life

Insert the correct words: butterfly, pupa, caterpillars

Common Birdwings spend most of their time on or around Indian birthwort vines. The ________________ eat the plant and the adults sip nectar from the flowers.

Adults spend much time basking in the sun in the cool hours of the morning. While they rest a lot, males are very territorial and will chase away others who stray into their terrain.

Females lay single eggs and stick them to Indian birthwort leaves. About five days later the eggs hatch, and tiny caterpillars emerge. They first eat the eggshell and then start on the leaves.

The caterpillar transforms into a ________________ when it is about one month old. This change takes two days to complete.

After a fortnight, the pupa changes into a ________________ . Adult Common Birdwings live about four to six weeks, feeding and mating before they die.

Quiz

Answer the following questions. To test your memory, try answering without referring to the text. If you can't remember the details, read the piece again.

1. Common Birdwing male butterflies are:

a. bigger than females

b. smaller than females

c. the same size as females

2. Common Birdwings live in:

a. primary and secondary forests

b. swamps and mangroves

c. gardens and city parks

3. Eating the Indian birthwort ...

a. gives the Common Birdwing its colour

b. kills the Common Birdwing

c. makes the Common Birdwing taste bad

4. How long does a Common Birdwing live?

a. about a week

b. about a fortnight

c. about 40 days

5. In Japan, butterflies symbolise:

a. the soul

b. love

c. reincarnation

6. In Hong Kong, Common Birdwings are:

a. common

b. protected

c. extinct

fab fact!

See Troides helena by visiting Lantau Island, Hong Kong Island, Po Lo Che (Sai Kung), Shan Liu Road (Tai Po) and Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden in the New Territories. Alternatively, check the Common Birdwing butterfly featured on the HK$3.10 stamp.

fab fact!

There are 550 known Swallowtails living around the world. One of the most recognisable is the black and green Rajah Brooke's Birdwing. Named after Sir James Brooke, the first White Rajah of Sarawak, this butterfly is often pictured on Malaysian tourism posters.

fab fact!

Common Birdwings are members of the Swallowtail or Papilionidae family. The Papilio are named swallowtails because of the long extensions of their hind wings. However, experts point out some are tailless.

Answers

Synonyms: lepidopteran, breed, unpalatable

Antonyms: popular, distinctive, human, love

Fill in the gaps: caterpillars, pupa, butterfly

Choose the correct alternative: vulnerable, insect, poachers

Quiz: 1. b; 2. a; 3. c; 4. c; 5. a; 6. b