__NOTOC__

The Charaxinae, the leafwings, are a

nymphalid The Nymphalidae are the largest family of butterflies, with more than 6,000 species distributed throughout most of the world. Belonging to the superfamily Papilionoidea, they are usually medium-sized to large butterflies. Most species have a red ...

subfamily In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...

butterflies Butterflies are insects in the macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera from the Order (biology), order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. The ...

that includes about 400

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

, inhabiting mainly the tropics, although some species extend into temperate regions in North America, Europe,

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...

, and southern

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. Significant variations exist 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 from

carrion Carrion () is the decaying flesh of dead animals, including human flesh. Overview Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems. Examples of carrion-eaters (or scavengers) include crows, vultures, c ...

, dung, and rotten fruits, rather than

nectar Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid produced by plants in glands called nectaries or nectarines, either within the flowers with which it attracts pollinating animals, or by extrafloral nectaries, which provide a nutrient source to animal mutualists ...

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 ''Butterfly Collectors'' is a two part ITV miniseries. It was broadcast between 19 April and 20 April 1999. A two-part psychological thriller about a disillusioned policeman who develops an unlikely friendship with two teenagers arrested for m ...

Genera

Tribe Charaxini Guenée, 1865 * ''

Polyura ''Polyura'' is a subgenus of butterflies also referred to as Nawab butterflies and belonging to the brush-footed butterfly subfamily Charaxinae, or leafwing butterflies. Like the large and conspicuous forest queens (subgenus '' Euxanthe''), they ...

'' – nawabs * ''

Charaxes The rajah and pasha butterflies, also known as emperors in Africa and Australia, (genus ''Charaxes'') make up the huge type genus of the brush-footed butterfly subfamily Charaxinae, or leafwing butterflies. They belong to the tribe Charaxini, ...

'' – rajahs and pashas, emperors Tribe Euxanthini Rydon, 1971 Rydon, A.H.B. 1971. The systematics of the Charaxidae (Lepidoptera: Nymphaloidea). ''Entomologists Record'' 83: 219-233, 283-287, 310-316, 336-341, 384-388, 6 figs., 4 plates. * ''

Euxanthe ''Euxanthe'' 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, 819/small> **'' Euxanthe crossleyi'' (Ward, ...

'' Tribe Pallini Rydon, 1971 * ''

Palla Palla may refer to: * Palla (garment), a women's headcloth or shawl from ancient Rome * ''Palla'' (butterfly), a brush-footed butterfly genus described by Jacob Hübner in 1819 * Palla (troubadour), a twelfth-century minstrel from Galicia * Pal ...

'' Tribe Prothoini Roepke, 1938 * ''

Prothoe ''Prothoe'' 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. franck'', occurs throughout a large part of Sou ...

'' * ''

Agatasa ''Agatasa'' is a butterfly genus in the brush-footed butterflies family (Nymphalidae). It is monotypic, containing only ''Agatasa calydonia'', the glorious begum, which is found from southern Burma, through the Thai-Malay Peninsula, to Borneo, S ...

'' – glorious begum Tribe Preponini Rydon, 1971 * ''

Agrias ''Agrias'' is a genus of Neotropical charaxine nymphalid butterflies found in South and Central America. The German lepidopterist Hans Fruhstorfer wrote: "In this magnificent tropical genus, upon which nature seems to have showered all her abu ...

'' * ''

Prepona ''Prepona'' 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 ...

'' * ''

Archaeoprepona ''Archaeoprepona'' is a genus of Neotropical charaxine butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, native to Mexico, Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean. The underside of their wings is pale brownish, while the upperside is da ...

'' * ''

Anaeomorpha ''Anaeomorpha'' is a monotypic genus of butterflies in the subfamily Charaxinae. Species There is one species, ''Anaeomorpha splendida'', and two subspecies: *''Anaeomorpha splendida splendida'' (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia) *''Anaeomorpha splendid ...

'' (sometimes in Anaeini) Tribe

Anaeini Anaeini is a tribe of Neotropical brush-footed butterflies. Their wing undersides usually mimic dead leaves. Included genera (and notable species) are: * '' Anaea'' Hübner, 819/small> ''Anaeomorpha'' is sometimes placed here, but more often i ...

(also see tribe article) * '' Anaea'' * ''

Coenophlebia ''Coenophlebia'' is a genus of neotropical charaxine butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, native to Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia and Ecuador. It is a monotypic genus. The single species is ''Coenophlebia archidona''. The habitat consists ...

'' * ''

Consul Consul (abbrev. ''cos.''; Latin plural ''consules'') was the title of one of the two chief magistrates of the Roman Republic, and subsequently also an important title under the Roman Empire. The title was used in other European city-states throug ...

'' * ''

Fountainea ''Fountainea'' is a genus of Neotropical leaf butterflies. Their wing undersides usually mimic dead leaves. This genus honours Margaret Fountaine Margaret Elizabeth Fountaine (16 May 1862 – 21 April 1940), was a Victorian era, Victorian lep ...

'' * ''

Hypna ''Hypna'' is a butterfly genus of the family Nymphalidae. It is monotypic, containing only ''Hypna clytemnestra'', the jazzy leafwing,Glassberg, Jeffrey. (2007) A Swift Guide to Butterflies of Mexico and Central America. Sunstreak Books Inc. p. 1 ...

'' * ''

Memphis Memphis most commonly refers to: * Memphis, Egypt, a former capital of ancient Egypt * Memphis, Tennessee, a major American city Memphis may also refer to: Places United States * Memphis, Alabama * Memphis, Florida * Memphis, Indiana * Memp ...

'' (formerly included in ''Anaea'') * ''

Polygrapha ''Polygrapha'' is a Neotropical nymphalid butterfly genus in the subfamily Charaxinae. There are four species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversit ...

'' * ''

Siderone ''Siderone'' is a Neotropical nymphalid butterfly genus in the subfamily Charaxinae __NOTOC__ The Charaxinae, the leafwings, are a nymphalid subfamily of butterflies that includes about 400 species, inhabiting mainly the tropics, although so ...

'' * ''

Zaretis ''Zaretis'' is a Neotropical nymphalid butterfly genus in the subfamily Charaxinae __NOTOC__ The Charaxinae, the leafwings, are a nymphalid subfamily of butterflies that includes about 400 species, inhabiting mainly the tropics, although som ...

References

External links

Checklist of North American Nymphalidae
{{Taxonbar, from=Q860124 - Taxa named by William Doherty Butterfly subfamilies