Chimaera birdwing  (Ornithoptera chimaera)

The adult chimaera birdwing feeds upon the nectar of hibiscus plants and African tulip trees, and groups of this species can be seen circling the tops of these trees. The female lays up to 20 eggs on the food plant and once hatched, the caterpillars consume the leaves of the plant before pupating. The pupa undergoes metamorphosis and emerges some weeks later as the adult butterfly (4).