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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 of butterflies 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, and southern Australia. 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, 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

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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'' 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'' * ''

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

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 throu ...

'' * '' Fountainea'' * '' Hypna'' * ''

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'' * '' Siderone'' * '' Zaretis'' Fountainea ryphea1

References

External links

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