This butterfly is named for the explorer Ferdinand Magellan who was killed in the Philippines in 1521.

Troides magellanus and the much rarer T. prattorum, are noted for their use of limited-view iridescence: the yellow of the dorsal hindwings is modified by bright blue-green iridescence which is only seen when the butterfly is viewed at a narrow, oblique angle.

This "grazing iridescence" is brought about through diffraction of light (after back reflection) by the wings' extremely steeply set, multilayered rib-like scales (rather than the ridge-lamellae of most other iridescent butterflies, such as Morpho species).

In A. meliboeus, however, the iridescence is produced by ridge-lamellar scales and features a wider range of colours.

Larvae feed on species of Aristolochia - A. acuminata, A. debilis, A. kankauensis, A. tagala and A. zollingeriana Forma Troides magellanus is a member of the Troides aecus species group.