Head to head
Queen Alexandra's Birdwing vs Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Queen Alexandra's birdwing and the eastern tiger swallowtail are both famous North American and Pacific butterflies, but they sit at opposite ends of nearly every measure, from wingspan to conservation status to the specific tricks each uses to survive as a caterpillar.
| Queen Alexandra's Birdwing | Eastern Tiger Swallowtail | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Ornithoptera alexandrae | Papilio glaucus |
| Size | The largest butterfly in the world, up to 30 cm wingspan in females | A much smaller, typical swallowtail size |
| Range | A small area of rainforest in Papua New Guinea | Forests and open habitat across eastern North America |
| Caterpillar defence | Retains toxins from a specific toxic host vine | Mimics bird droppings, then develops false snake eyes |
| Sexual dimorphism | Males smaller and colourful, females larger and subdued | Females show two distinct colour forms |
| Adult diet | Flower nectar | Flower nectar |
| Habitat | Lowland rainforest | Forests, woodland edges, and open habitat |
| Conservation status | Endangered | Least Concern |
Queen Alexandra's Birdwing vs Eastern Tiger Swallowtail: common questions
How much bigger is Queen Alexandra's birdwing than the eastern tiger swallowtail?
Dramatically bigger; Queen Alexandra's birdwing is the largest butterfly in the world, with females reaching a wingspan of up to 30 centimetres, far exceeding the much smaller eastern tiger swallowtail.
Which of these two butterflies is more endangered?
Queen Alexandra's birdwing, which is Endangered and confined to a small, shrinking area of rainforest in Papua New Guinea, while the eastern tiger swallowtail is Least Concern and widespread across eastern North America.
How do the caterpillar defences of these two butterflies differ?
Queen Alexandra's birdwing caterpillars retain toxins from a specific toxic vine they feed on, making them unpalatable, while eastern tiger swallowtail caterpillars rely on disguise instead, first mimicking bird droppings and later developing false snake-like eyespots.