Queen Alexandra's Birdwing

giant insects · Papua New Guinea · butterflies · record breaker

Massive wingspan. Female Queen Alexandra's birdwings can have wingspans of 25 to 28 centimeters across, making them the largest butterflies on Earth. That's about as wide as a dinner plate.

Shimmering colors. These butterflies display brilliant emerald green and gold colors on their wings, making them look almost magical when they flutter through the rainforest.

Home in Papua New Guinea. These incredible insects are only found in the rainforests of Oro Province in eastern Papua New Guinea, nowhere else in the world.

Named after royalty. The butterfly's scientific name, Ornithoptera alexandrae, honors Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII of Great Britain.

True giants. Queen Alexandra's birdwings are so huge and impressive that they're considered some of the most spectacular insects ever discovered.