Nymphalia

Characteristics of this family include

Medium to large butterflies with fondness for sunshine, generally swift powerful fliers, brightly coloured ,and many species have a wide range. Some species have tails and a few eye spots ( ocellus)

Forelegs vestigial and not used for walking, though better developed in some females. The reason for this is not certain ,but because several species have a brush -like set of fine hairs (setae) on the forelegs ,they are presumed to be used for smell and communication. This is the reason why their common name is four footed or brushfooted butterflies

In many species the antennae are less than half the length of the costal margin of the forewing and always has two grooves on the underside

In the forewing , the submedial vein (vein 1) is unbranched , medial vein has 3 branches (,veins 2,3 and 4) ;veins 5 and 6 originate from junction of discocellulars ;subcostal vein beyond apex of cell, vein 7 never has more than 4 branches, veins 8-11; -8 and 9 arise from vein 7 , 10 and 11 sometimes from 7 but often arise from subcostal vein before apex of cell

The hindwings have internal (1a) and precostal veins. The cell in both wings is closed or open, often closed in the fore, open in the hindwing. The dorsal margin of the hindwing is channelled to receive the abdomen

The topside of the wings are often brightly coloured, but the underwing is often dull , and can mimic dead leaves or look cryptic

Secondary sexual characteristics in the male are absent or weakly developed. Sexual dimorphism is marked in some species.

Seasonal dimorphism ( e.g. dry and wet season broods) is also seen ,mainly in tropical species

Many species are attracted to rotting fruit, carrion or animal excreta for nourishment

Migration is seen in some species

Larvae are generally cylindrical with branched spines

Pupae are variable , ranging from smooth and round to angulary grotesque. many have metallic flecks and are suspended by a cremaster with the head down.

This is the largest butterfly family (6000 species) and includes

Apaturinae- Tropical Emperor butterflies

Biblidinae - tropical brushfoots, includes Callicores, Panacea, Hamadryas, Eunica, Catonephele, perisama

Calinaginae- 6 species , limited to Himalayas. Mimic Danainae

Charaxinae- Tropical canopy butterflies

Cyrestinae - includes Marpesia , Cyrestis and Chersonesia

Danainae- milkweed butterflies , includes Ithomiini (clear wings)

Heliconiinae- colourful ,display Mullerian mimicry

Libytheinae- snout nosed butterflies

Limenitidinae - The Admirals ,named because of their large size and bright colours

Morphinae-includes Amathusiini, Brassolini (owls)

Nymphalininae - Tortoiseshells, Fritillaries, Junoniini and Napeocles

Satyrinae - the browns

NB This website has decided to separate many of these families , and given them their own page