Goliath Birdwing Butterfly Display (25 specimens)
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 9:39 pm
This Goliath Birdwing display was created in 2010. Ornithoptera goliath is generally considered the second largest butterfly in the world, following very close behind Ornithoptera alexandrae, although some would say that the females are nearly equal. Most of these are older photos taken at the time of completion.
I'll try and describe a few things about the display...
The vines at the bottom represent Aristolochia goliathiana - a foodplant of Ornithoptera goliath. These were drawn directly onto the matting using pastels, and a charcoal pencil to define the outlines. The caterpillars illustrated on the vines are those of O. goliath.
The two chrysalides are real, and are from O. goliath supremus.
Every specimen has had it's abdomen fully degreased, so that they will remain bright and clean with no risk of the butterflies "greasing up" over time. Although it may appear as if the hindwing translucent yellow of some males is dark or stained, this is just caused by lighting/shadows. They are all virtually mint condition.
The outer two "sections" contain various forms of O. goliath supremus. The center section contains the "rest" of the goliath subspecies including the nominate O. goliath goliath from Waigeo.
I do have full data for all specimens and plan on creating labels which will go inside the display with the specimens soon.
This display is framed with Optium Museum Acrylic. It measures 56" wide by 38" tall.
I will add a few "detail" photos as it is difficult to see things well in the "complete" photo.
Center "nameplate" detail including Aristolochia vine and flowers...
Caterpillar detail...
I'll try and describe a few things about the display...
The vines at the bottom represent Aristolochia goliathiana - a foodplant of Ornithoptera goliath. These were drawn directly onto the matting using pastels, and a charcoal pencil to define the outlines. The caterpillars illustrated on the vines are those of O. goliath.
The two chrysalides are real, and are from O. goliath supremus.
Every specimen has had it's abdomen fully degreased, so that they will remain bright and clean with no risk of the butterflies "greasing up" over time. Although it may appear as if the hindwing translucent yellow of some males is dark or stained, this is just caused by lighting/shadows. They are all virtually mint condition.
The outer two "sections" contain various forms of O. goliath supremus. The center section contains the "rest" of the goliath subspecies including the nominate O. goliath goliath from Waigeo.
I do have full data for all specimens and plan on creating labels which will go inside the display with the specimens soon.
This display is framed with Optium Museum Acrylic. It measures 56" wide by 38" tall.
I will add a few "detail" photos as it is difficult to see things well in the "complete" photo.
Center "nameplate" detail including Aristolochia vine and flowers...
Caterpillar detail...