India's Largest Butterfly - The Golden Birdwing

India’s largest butterfly is the Himalayan butterfly, Golden Birdwing (Troides Aeacus). This butterfly species surpassed the 88-year-old record of the Southern Birdwing (Troides Minos) in 2020. The female Golden Birdwing, India’s largest butterfly was found in Didihat, Uttarakhand while the male Golden Birdwing was found in Shillong, Meghalaya.

The female species of the Golden Birdwing measures a wingspan of 194 mm, marginally larger than the Southern Birdwing (190 mm). However, the male butterfly is much smaller, at only 106 mm. We have shared more information about India’s largest butterfly here.

About India’s Largest Butterfly

The Himalayan Golden Birdwing is India’s largest butterfly. The female Birdwing was recorded at Didihat in Uttarakhand. On the other hand, the largest male species was measured in the Wankhar Butterfly Museum of Shillong, Meghalaya. The specimen of India’s largest butterfly is present at the Butterfly Research Center at Bhimtal.

Here is more information about India’s largest butterfly:

• The specimen of the Golden Birdwing surpassed the 88-year-old record of the Southern Birdwing (Troides Minos) in 2020. This specimen was recorded by Brigadier William Harry Evans, a British military officer, and lepidopterist, recorded in 1932.
• In 1932, Mr. William provided the wingspans of all butterfly species known from the Indian subcontinent.
• His book is still the standard work on the subject but the specimen of the largest butterfly in India was unknown. So, it was treated as a subspecies of the Common Birdwing.

India's Largest Butterfly: Characteristics

The largest butterfly in India, the Golden Birdwing has some unique characteristics like a distinct color and pattern, and size. Some of the characteristics of India’s largest butterfly are shared below.

• The Golden Birdwing is a large tropical butterfly belonging to the swallowtail family, Papilionidae.
• It is a diurnal insect.
• The largest butterfly in India has a wingspan reaching 15-16 centimeters (5.9 to 6.3 inches).
• The males have black forewings with veins bordered by a whitish color and bright yellow hind wings. The underside and upside of the wings are similar to each other.
• When it comes to India’s largest butterfly species, the females are larger than the males and have dark-brown or black wings.
• The butterfly has a black head, thorax, and abdomen. Small red patches can also be spotted on the thorax and a yellow underside on the abdomen.
• Caterpillars are pale brown and have long protrusions that resemble thorns.
• The butterfly mainly feeds on the plant species- Aristolochia and Thottea.

India's Largest Butterfly: Scientific Classification

Here, we have shared the details of the scientific classification of the largest butterfly of India:

India's Largest Butterfly: Measurement

The measurement of India's largest butterfly was published in a research article. The authors reveal that the only measurement used in the study of Lepidoptera (the order of the butterfly) is the wingspan. This method measures the butterflies from the wing base to the tip. The largest butterfly in India measures around 15-16 centimeters.

After India’s largest butterfly, the wingspan measurements of the three large species are as follows:

Second Largest Butterfly of India

The Golden Birdwing is the largest butterfly in India, reaching a measurement of up to 15-16 centimeters. Besides the Golden Birdwing, there are other butterflies that can reach great measurements. One such butterfly is the Sahyadri Birdwing, scientifically known as the Troides minos.

• This striking butterfly is native to the Western Ghats in Southern India.
• This is a swallowtail butterfly, meaning it has a large, colorful tail, with amazing patterns.
• The Troides minos is the second largest butterfly in India.
• This butterfly has a wingspan of 140–190 mm.
• The Sahayadri Birdwing is also the state butterfly of Karnataka.
• Earlier, the Troides minos held the title of India’s largest butterfly for 88 years.

FAQs on India's Largest Butterfly

Q1. Which is India's largest butterfly?

The Himalayan butterfly named Golden Birdwing (Troides Aeacus) is India's largest butterfly. It is found near the Himalayan regions of India. When we talk about the length of the wingspan of India’s largest butterfly, the female Golden Birdwing measures 194 mm while the male one measures around 190 mm.

Q2. Which butterfly held the record of India's largest butterfly for 88 years?

Earlier, the record of India's largest butterfly was held by the Southern Birdwing (Troides Minos). This butterfly specimen was recorded in 1932 by Brigadier William Harry Evans, a British military officer, and lepidopterist. This butterfly held the record for being India’s largest butterfly for 88 years.

Q3. What is the wingspan of India's largest butterfly?

The size of the wingspan of India’s largest butterfly differs between the female species and male species. The female species of the Golden Birdwing measures a wingspan of 194 mm. It is marginally larger than the former largest butterfly, Southern Birdwing (190 mm).

Q4. Which was the first largest butterfly in India?

Before the Himalayan Golden Birdwing, another species was considered India’s largest butterfly. Recorded by Brigadier William Harry Evans in 1932, the Southern Birdwing (Troides Minos) was considered the largest butterfly in India for around 88 years.

Q5. Which is the second largest butterfly in India?

Troides minos is the second largest butterfly in India, with its wingspan measuring up to 140–190 mm. This butterfly is native to the Western Ghats in Southern India and is the state butterfly of Karnataka. Troides minos is also known as the Sahyadri Birdwing.

Q6. Which is the third largest butterfly in India?

Red Helen, also known as Papilio Helenus, is the third largest butterfly in India. It is a swallowtail butterfly, with colorful patterns on it. Red Helen is most commonly found in the Southern parts of India and Southeast Asia.