Description
Papilio lorquinianus albertisi, The Sea Green Swallowtail, Butterfly Specimen from West Papua, Indonesia.
You will receive this specimen, or one like it.
Beautiful choice — Papilio lorquinianus albertisi, known as the Sea Green Swallowtail, is a dazzling tropical species from the emerald rainforests of West Papua, Indonesia. Its name perfectly suits it — the shimmering hues of its wings look as if they were borrowed straight from the surface of a sunlit ocean.
Appearance & Identification (where sea meets sky)
This butterfly is instantly recognizable by its iridescent bands of sea-green and turquoise set against deep, velvety black wings. When sunlight strikes its surface, the colors ripple like moving water — an effect created not by pigment, but by microscopic scales that bend and reflect light. Males typically boast the brightest sheen, while females are larger and more subtly patterned. With a wingspan of around 90–110 mm, it’s a medium-large swallowtail that commands attention in any collection.
Habitat & Behavior
The Sea Green Swallowtail thrives in humid lowland and hill rainforests of West Papua, gliding gracefully through shafts of filtered sunlight. Adults feed on flower nectar, while the caterpillars depend on Aristolochia vines, plants that provide chemical defenses against predators — a trait shared by many birdwings and swallowtails. Their flight is powerful yet elegant, often tracing lazy loops near forest edges or riverbanks.
The Science of Its Iridescence
What makes this butterfly’s coloration so captivating is structural coloration, not dye. Its wing scales contain nanoscale layers that split and scatter light, producing luminous greens and blues that shift with the viewing angle. Even decades after collection, this optical magic doesn’t fade — a permanent display of light physics in motion.
Rarity & Collector Interest
Though not the rarest of Swallowtails, Papilio lorquinianus albertisi is less frequently seen due to its limited West Papuan range and sensitivity to habitat change. Ethically sourced specimens are cherished for their stunning “sea-glass” brilliance, representing both natural artistry and delicate ecological balance.
Quick Display Label Summary:
• Family: Papilionidae (Swallowtails & Birdwings)
• Species: Papilio lorquinianus albertisi
• Common name: Sea Green Swallowtail
• Origin: West Papua, Indonesia
• Wingspan: 90–110 mm
• Traits: Sea-green and turquoise iridescence, black margins, fluid graceful flight.
Graphium weiskei, Purple Spotted Swallowtail from West Papua, Indonesia
