The Richmond birdwing butterfly – one of Australia’s largest subtropical butterflies – is listed as vulnerable under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992.
And the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection mark the butterfly as a “critical priority”.
Male Richmond birdwing butterfly
This living painting, within Tamborine Mountain’s Escarpment Protection Precinct, has a wingspan of 16cm (for the male) and 13cm (for the female).
Where does the Richmond birdwing butterfly live?
The habitat of the Richmond birdwing butterfly is in subtropical rainforest.
It’s found on Tamborine Mountain – one of the few areas remaining after fragmentation of its habitat. (Distribution in this region goes from Ormeau and Mount Tamborine to Wardell in northern NSW.)
Saving the Richmond birdwing butterfly
The Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network has been linking existing habitats through the replanting of the Richmond birdwing butterfly’s food plant P. Praevenosa.
They’re working at removing the Dutchman’s pipe (a relative of the butterfly larvae’s food plant that confuses the butterfly and kills its larvae).
They’re also keeping an eye on butterfly numbers and distribution through a mapping process.
Great work RBCN!
Find out more about RBCN …
Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network
The Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network (RBCN) is devoted to the conservation of this beautiful butterfly and the host vines and habitat the butterfly requires for survival.
Database of Richmond Birdwing Butterfly sightings
Find out more about the Richmond birdwing butterfly …
Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland
More insect pictures at Save Guanaba’s Facebook page