With the exception of Queen Alexandra's birdwing (O. alexandrae), all birdwings are listed in Appendix II of CITES, and accordingly their trade is restricted in countries that have signed the CITES convention.
Exceptions are made for captive-reared specimens, which mainly originate from ranches in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
Most species of all three genera have now been reared in captivity, though with significant differences in the quantities reared of each species.
O. alexandrae is listed on Appendix I and therefore cannot legally be traded internationally.
At the 2006 meeting of the CITES Animals Committee some suggested O. alexandrae should be moved to Appendix II, as the conservation benefits of sustainable management perhaps are higher than those of the trade ban.

Three Troides and eight Ornithoptera species have been given assessments by the IUCN Red List, with classifications ranging from "least concern" to "endangered".

Richmond birdwings (O. richmondia) depend on the plant Aristolochia praevenosa which they need for their caterpillars.
However, the very similar Aristolochia elegans (Dutchman's pipe) which can be found in many Australian backyards, kills the caterpillars.
With the exception of Queen Alexandra's birdwing (O. alexandrae), all birdwings are listed in Appendix II of CITES, and accordingly their trade is restricted in countries that have signed the CITES convention. Exceptions are made for captive-reared specimens, which mainly originate from ranches in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Most species of all three genera have now been reared in captivity, though with significant differences in the quantities reared of each species. O. alexandrae is listed on Appendix I and therefore cannot legally be traded internationally. At the 2006 meeting of the CITES Animals Committee some suggested O. alexandrae should be moved to Appendix II, as the conservation benefits of sustainable management perhaps are higher than those of the trade ban.
Three Troides and eight Ornithoptera species have been given assessments by the IUCN Red List, with classifications ranging from "least concern" to "endangered".
Richmond birdwings (O. richmondia) depend on the plant Aristolochia praevenosa which they need for their caterpillars. However, the very similar Aristolochia elegans (Dutchman's pipe) which can be found in many Australian backyards, kills the caterpillars.
Birdwing