Butterflies

Butterflies and moths make up the order of insect called Lepidoptera, a world that means 'scale-winged'. It is the characteristic wing scales that give these insect their beautiful colors and patterns. Butterflies are distinguished from moths by their diurnal habits, brighter coloration, clubbed antennae and their habits of resting with the wings and held upright over the abdomen. The underside of the wing are often colored in such away as to conceal the insect.

Indonesia is home to many endemic species of butterfly, but it is difficult to accurately determine how these species cope with the present day stresses. Habitats alteration, particularly the feeling of forests, threatened butterfly populations and even the existence of some species.

Birdwing Butterflies

Many birdwing species are found in eastern of Indonesia, including some spectacular of the world's butterflies; the wingspan of Ornithoptera goliath reach 22 centimeter. The male and female of many species of Ornithoptera are markedly different in size, coloration and the manner in which they fly. Other birdwing butterfly are exceptionally beautiful species which are confined to the mountains of Irian Jaya, Ambon, Maluku and adjacent islands. The only birdwing found in western Indonesia is Rajah Brooke's birdwing (Trogonoptera brookiana), discovered by Alfred Russel Walace in 1855 and named after Rajah Brooke of Sarawak. The Black and iridescent-green wings of this species have been much exploited for decoration.