Insect · GBIF taxon 1939074
Golden Kaiser-i-Hind Butterfly
Teinopalpus aureusAlso known as Golden Kaiser Butterfly
Golden Kaiser-i-Hind butterflies inhabit the dense upper canopy of high-altitude montane broadleaf forests across East and Southeast Asia. Males display striking iridescent green forewings paired with radiant golden-yellow hindwing patches, while females feature a larger wingspan with distinct multi-tailed hindwings. Flying with exceptional speed high above the tree line, these elusive swallowtails descend briefly during cool morning hours to hilltop or puddle.
RareHigh AltitudeCanopy Dweller
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VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Flower nectar
- Tree sap
- Mineral salts
Predators
- Birds
- Lizards
- Spiders
ThreatsIllegal collection for the wildlife trade and habitat loss from deforestation
HabitatsSubtropical high-altitude evergreen broadleaf forests
Life span1–2 months (adult stage)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPapilionidae
- SpeciesTeinopalpus aureus
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 brilliant golden-yellow hindwing patches and rapid canopy flight above 1,000 meters elevation.
- Support conservation
- Never catch or disturb this species, and avoid sharing precise location coordinates of wild sightings.
Responsible observation
- Canopy watching: Bring binoculars or a long telephoto lens, as adults spend most of their time high in rainforest trees.
- Morning observation: Look for males hilltopping or puddling along damp ridge trails during early morning hours.
Co-Occurring Swallowtail 
Close Relative (c) Cheongweei Gan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cheongweei Gan · cc-by
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