Ornithoptera Goliath - Biology

Biology

The larvae are monophagous on a species of Aristolochia which can be 20 or more metres high and so reaching into in the canopy. The eggs, up to 20, are laid singly on small plants or severally on larger plants. The young larvae feed on new leaves, as they grow they feed on older leaves and finally on the bark of the stems which may be severed.The vine may be eaten down to the root. Pupation is on the underside of a leaf of a nearby shrub close to the host-plant remains. Adult butterflies fly in the host plant’s immediate habitat feeding on forest tree flowers especially those of the introduced Spathodea campanulata during the morning. The males have cryptic underside colouring and cannot easily be seen when resting in the warmer hours of the day.Females rest with the wings open. Flight is leisurely, but controlled and powerful. Males pursue their females for long distances, rising high over the forest canopy then folding their wings and diving down to tree level to mate, even though they risk hindwing damage by the sharp tarsal claws of females.Males suffer similar damage when attacked by males of Ornithoptera priamus.