Charaxinae
Encyclopedia
Charaxinae, the leafwings, is a nymphalid
subfamily of butterflies
that includes about 400 species
, inhabiting mainly the tropics, although some species extend into temperate regions in North America
, Europe
, China
and southern Australia
. There are significant variations between the species. For example, some are medium-sized and bright orange above, but mottled gray or brown below. This underwing coloration helps them resemble a dead leaf when they are at rest as they keep their wings closed. With relatively few exceptions, the hindwings of the members of this subfamily have jagged edges.
Adults are very robust and fast flyers, and many are strongly attracted to drink liquids off carrion
, dung, and rotten fruits, rather than nectar from flowers.
Males establish territories and perch on tree trunks, branches, and even the ground. The eggs are smooth and round and generally with a somewhat concave apex.
Some genera in this subfamily (notably Charaxes, Agrias and Prepona) are very popular among butterfly collectors
.
Tribe Euxanthini Rydon, 1971
Tribe Pallini Rydon, 1971
Tribe Prothoini Roepke
, 1938
Tribe Preponini Rydon, 1971
Tribe Anaeini
(also see tribe article)
Nymphalidae
The Nymphalidae is a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies which are distributed throughout most of the world. These are usually medium sized to large butterflies. Most species have a reduced pair of forelegs and many hold their colourful wings flat when resting. They are also called...
subfamily of butterflies
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
that includes about 400 species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, inhabiting mainly the tropics, although some species extend into temperate regions in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and southern Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. There are significant variations between the species. For example, some are medium-sized and bright orange above, but mottled gray or brown below. This underwing coloration helps them resemble a dead leaf when they are at rest as they keep their wings closed. With relatively few exceptions, the hindwings of the members of this subfamily have jagged edges.
Adults are very robust and fast flyers, and many are strongly attracted to drink liquids off carrion
Carrion
Carrion refers to the carcass of a dead animal. Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems. Examples of carrion-eaters include vultures, hawks, eagles, hyenas, Virginia Opossum, Tasmanian Devils, coyotes, Komodo dragons, and burying beetles...
, dung, and rotten fruits, rather than nectar from flowers.
Males establish territories and perch on tree trunks, branches, and even the ground. The eggs are smooth and round and generally with a somewhat concave apex.
Some genera in this subfamily (notably Charaxes, Agrias and Prepona) are very popular among butterfly collectors
Insect collecting
Insect collecting is the collection of insects for hobby, scientific study or profit. Historically insect collecting has been widespread and a very popular educational hobby. Insect collecting has left traces in European cultural history, literature and songs Insect collecting is the collection of...
.
Genera
Tribe Charaxini Guenée, 1865- PolyuraPolyuraPolyura is the genus of nawab butterflies. They belong to the brush-footed butterfly subfamily Charaxinae, or leafwing butterflies. Like the large and conspicuous pasha and rajah butterflies they belong to the Charaxini tribe....
– nawabs - CharaxesCharaxesCharaxes has several meanings:*Charaxes, the genus of pasha and radjah butterflies*The name taken by the comic book villain Killer Moth after his transformation into an actual killer moth-like creature....
– rajahs and pashas, emperors
Tribe Euxanthini Rydon, 1971
- EuxantheEuxantheEuxanthe is a genus of butterflies in the subfamily Charaxinae.-Species:There are six species all found in Afrotropical forests. The popular name is Forest Queen.*Subgenus Euxanthe Hübner, [1819]**Euxanthe crossleyi...
Tribe Pallini Rydon, 1971
- Palla
Tribe Prothoini Roepke
Walter Karl Johann Roepke
Walter Karl Johann Roepke was a German entomologist who specialised in Lepidoptera and ColeopteraRoepke was educated in the University of Berlin and the University of Zürich where he took his Ph.Dr’s degree in 1907...
, 1938
- ProthoeProthoeProthoe is a genus of charaxine butterflies in the family Nymphalidae. Two of the three species are virtually restricted to western and central Melanesia, but the most widespread species, P...
- Agatasa – Glorious Begum
Tribe Preponini Rydon, 1971
- AgriasAgrias (butterfly)Agrias is a genus of charaxine nymphalid butterflies found in South and Central America.Prized by collectors, these large, showy butterflies have had hundreds of names applied to polymorphic variants.-Species:...
- PreponaPreponaPrepona is a genus of Neotropical charaxine butterflies in the family Nymphalidae. They are strong fliers in tropical forests where they feed on fermenting fruits and animal dung. The underside of the wings is pale greyish or brownish, while the upperside is dark with distinct iridescent blue...
- ArchaeopreponaArchaeopreponaArchaeoprepona is a genus of Neotropical charaxine butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, native to Mexico, Central America, northern South America and the Caribbean...
- NoreppaNoreppaNoreppa is a genus of neotropical charaxine butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, native to Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, Peru and Argentina. It is a monotypic genus. The single species is Noreppa chromus ....
- Anaeomorpha (sometimes in Anaeini)
Tribe Anaeini
Anaeini
Anaeini is a tribe of Neotropical brush-footed butterflies. Their wing undersides usually mimic dead leaves.Included genera are:* Anaea ** Anaea aidea – Tropical Leafwing** Anaea andria – Goatweed Butterfly...
(also see tribe article)
- Anaea
- Coenophlebia
- ConsulConsul (genus)Consul described by Pieter Cramer in 1776 is a South American nymphalid butterfly genus in the subfamily Charaxinae.-Species:There are 4 species in the genus. All are Neotropical.* Consul electra * Consul excellens...
- FountaineaFountaineaFountainea is a genus of Neotropical leaf butterflies. Their wing undersides usually mimic dead leaves.-Species:There are 8 species in the genus:* Fountainea centaurus * Fountainea eurypyle Fountainea is a genus of Neotropical leaf butterflies. Their wing undersides usually mimic dead...
- HypnaHypnaHypna is a monotypic genus of Neotropical leaf butterflies. Their wing undersides mimic dead leaves.-References:* * -External links:*...
- MemphisMemphis (genus)Memphis, described by Jacob Hübner in 1819, is a Neotropical nymphalid butterfly genus in the subfamily Charaxinae.There are 61 species in the genus...
(formerly included in Anaea) - PolygraphaPolygraphaPolygrapha is a Neotropical nymphalid butterfly genus in the subfamily Charaxinae.There are 4 species in the genus.-Species:* Polygrapha cyanea * Polygrapha suprema...
- Siderone
- Zaretis