Insect · GBIF taxon 1937037
Golden Birdwing
Troides rhadamantusAlso known as Tropical Golden Birdwing
Golden Birdwings glide leisurely through the canopy of Philippine rainforests, flashing brilliant golden-yellow hindwings bordered in velvety black. Caterpillars sequester toxic aristolochic acids from pipevine foliage, rendering both larvae and adults distasteful to insectivorous birds. Males aggressively patrol sunny forest gaps and river corridors to intercept receptive females emerging from the understory.
EndemicPollinatorTropical
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Hibiscus nectar
- Lantana nectar
- Ixora nectar
Predators
- Orb-weaver spiders
- Praying mantises
- Tropical lizards
ThreatsDeforestation from logging and agricultural expansion, alongside illegal specimen collecting
HabitatsLowland and montane tropical rainforests, forest edges, and riparian zones
Life span1–3 months as an adult
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyPapilionidae
- GenusTroides
- SpeciesTroides rhadamantus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Recognizable by its immense size, charcoal forewings, and glowing golden-yellow hindwings framed in black scalloping.
- Support conservation
- Enjoy adult flight from a respectful distance without attempting to capture or disturb wild specimens.
Responsible observation
- Spotting Canopies: Scan sunlit gaps and flowering canopy trees along forest clearings during mid-morning.
- Host Plants: Inspect patches of wild pipevine creepers along trails for boldly patterned, spiky caterpillars.
- Photography: Approach flowering shrubs slowly without casting sudden shadows across feeding perches.
Host Plant (c) Vinayaraj, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableClose Relative Close Relative 
Close Relative (c) Roger Rittmaster, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Roger Rittmaster · cc-by
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