One Big Butterfly

The world's largest butterfly known as Queen Alexandra Birdwing can reach a wingspan of 31cm (14 inches), a body length of 8 cm (3.2 inches) and a body mass of up to 12 grams (0.42 oz), all enormous measurements for a butterfly. Not only are these magnificent creatures extraordinarily beautiful, they are also very rare. Queen Alexandra birdwings are found living only in remote jungles of Papua New Guinea. Alexandras are endangered, and very rarely seen by people, even in their native habitat, because they spend much of their short lifespan in adult form (about 3 to 4 months) floating above the jungle canopy.