Which butterfly is regarded as the largest butterfly by wingspan and lives in tropical forests?

Queen Alexandra’s birdwing is regarded as the world’s largest butterfly by wingspan.

This rare birdwing is endemic to the Popondetta region of Papua New Guinea, where it inhabits lowland tropical forest. Females are larger than males and can reach a wingspan of about 28 centimetres. The species is named after Queen Alexandra, wife of Britain’s King Edward VII.

Its restricted range and dependence on rainforest habitat make it vulnerable to deforestation. International trade is also tightly controlled, and the species is listed on CITES Appendix I. The butterfly should not be confused with the atlas moth, which is often described as the largest moth by wing area or wingspan.

The species was described in 1907 by the British entomologist Walter Rothschild and is scientifically known as Ornithoptera alexandrae.