This is one Poseidon adventure you won't see Shelly Winters in! In a special genus, Ornithoptera, or Bird-wing butterflies, this butterfly is a classic example of how a subspecies develops. When the differences between populations are great, individuals can be isolated and defined as a subspecies. In the Australian region, from Queensland to the Solomon Islands, this butterfly differs dramatically in the iridescent background color of the male's wings. The priamus has green wings, the urvillianus has blue, and the croesus has golden wings. Croesus has developed so differently that it is now recognized as a separate species. Males have black and green patterns on the upperside, with the underside of the forewing black with a turquoise center, overlaid with black veins. The females are much larger than the males but their wings are black with white markings. During courtship, the male hovers above the female, beating its wings rapidly. If the female is in flight then the male will follow her every move, and brush the female's antennae with the stiff fringe of hair-scales on each hindwing. This transfers a pheromone to render the female more receptive. Approximately 4" x 5" in a 7" x 9" frame. Looks great in a black frame. |
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