Citizendia
Your Ad Here

Nymphalidae
Dryadula phaetusa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
(unranked) Rhopalocera
Superfamily: Papilionoidea
Family: Nymphalidae
Rafinesque, 1815
Diversity
Over 600 genera
About 5,700 species
Subfamilies

and see article text

The Nymphalidae is a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies which are distributed in all parts of the world. Dryadula phaetusa, also known as the Banded Orange Heliconian, Banded Orange, or Orange Tiger, is a species of Butterfly (an Arthropods are Animals belonging to the Phylum Arthropoda (from Greek ἄρθρον arthron, " Joint " Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described Lepidoptera is an order of Insect that includes Moths and butterflies. A butterfly is an Insect of the order Lepidoptera. Like all Lepidoptera butterflies are notable for their unusual life cycle with a The Superfamily Papilionoidea (from the word "papilion" meaning "butterfly" contains all the butterflies except for the skippers which Constantine Samuel Rafinesque-Schmaltz, as he is known in Europe ( October 22 1783 - September 18 1840) was a nineteenth-century This is a list of the Diversity of the Lepidoptera showing the estimated number of genera and species described for each superfamily and where available family In Biological classification, family ( Latin Biblidinae is a Subfamily of nymphalid butterflies that includes the tropical brushfoots. Calinaginae is a butterfly subfamily from the family Nymphalidae. Charaxinae, the leafwings, is a nymphalid Subfamily of butterflies that includes about 400 Species, inhabiting mainly the tropics Cyrestinae is a Subfamily of nymphalid brush-footed Butterflies. Milkweed butterflies are a Subfamily, Danainae, in the family Nymphalidae, or brush-footed butterflies The Heliconiinae, commonly called heliconians or longwings, are a Subfamily of the Brush-footed butterflies ( family Nymphalidae Limentidinae is a Subfamily of Butterflies that includes admirals and their relatives Morphinae is a Subfamily of Nymphalidae Butterflies that includes the morphos, the Owl butterflies ( Caligo) and related Nymphalinae is a Subfamily of nymphalid Butterflies. Sometimes the Limenitidinae (and Biblidinae) are included here as a tribe Satyrinae, the satyrines or satyrids, commonly known as the Browns, is a Subfamily of the Nymphalidae (brush-footed Butterflies In Biological classification, family ( Latin In Biology, a species is one of the basic units of Biological classification and a Taxonomic rank. A butterfly is an Insect of the order Lepidoptera. Like all Lepidoptera butterflies are notable for their unusual life cycle with a These are usually medium sized to large butterflies. Many species are brightly colored and they include popular species such as the emperor, admirals, tortoiseshells and fritillaries. However, the underwings are dull and in some species look remarkably like dead leaves, or are much paler, producing a cryptic effect that helps the butterfly disappear into its surroundings. In Ecology, crypsis is the ability of an organism to avoid observation

Contents

Classification

In adult butterflies, the first pair of legs are small or reduced, giving the family the other names of four-footed or brush-footed butterflies. The caterpillars are hairy or spiky with projections on the head, and the chrysalids have shiny spots.

The forewing has the submedial vein (vein 1) unbranched and in one subfamily forked near base; medial vein with three branches, veins 2, 3 and 4; veins 5 and 6 arising from the points of junction of the discocellulars; subcostal vein and its continuation beyond apex of cell, vein 7, with never more than four branches, veins 8-11 ; 8 and 9 always arising from vein 7, 10 and also 11 sometimes from vein 7 but more often free, i. Insect wings are outgrowths of the Insect Exoskeleton that enable insects to fly. e. given off by the subcostal vein before apex of cell. [1]

The hindwing has internal (1a) and precostal veins. Insect wings are outgrowths of the Insect Exoskeleton that enable insects to fly. The cell in both wings closed or open, often closed in the fore, open in the hind wing. Dorsal margin of hind wing channelled to receive the abdomen in many of the forms. [1]

Antennae always with two grooves on the underside; club variable in shape. Throughout the family the front pair of legs in the male, and with three exceptions (Libythea, Pseudergolis and Calinaga) in the female also, is reduced in size and functionally impotent; in some the atrophy of the fore legs is considerable, e. g. Danainae and Satyrinae In many of the forms of these subfamilies the fore legs are kept pressed against the underside of the thorax, and are in the male often very inconspicuous. [1]

Systematics and phylogeny

The phylogeny of the Nymphalidae is complex. Several taxa are of unclear position, reflecting the fact that some subfamilies were formerly well-recognized as distinct families due to insufficient study. A taxon (plural taxa) or taxonomic unit, is a name designating an organism or a group of Organisms In Biological nomenclature according to In Biological classification, family ( Latin

There are five main clades within the family:[2]

Common Snout Butterfly, Libytheana carinenta
Common Snout Butterfly, Libytheana carinenta

The libytheine clade (basal)

Male Monarch Butterfly, Danaus plexippus
Male Monarch Butterfly, Danaus plexippus

The danaine clade (basal)

Host plant families include Apocynaceae, Asclepidaceae, and Moraceae. Moraceae is a family of Flowering plants commonly known as the mulberry or fig family
  • Ithomiini (About 300 Neotropical species. Ithomiini is a Butterfly tribe in the nymphalid subfamily Danainae. Sometimes considered a subfamily Ithomiinae. )
Most species with long wings, some having transparent wings. Host plants in the families Apocynaceae, Gesneriaceae and Solanaceae. Gesneriaceae is a family of Flowering plants consisting of ca The Solanaceae is a family of Flowering plants that contains a number of important agricultural plants as well as many toxic plants
  • Tellervini (About 6–10 species in Australasia. Sometimes considered a subfamily Tellervinae. )
Caterpillars resemble those of the Danainae and feed on Apocynaceae.
Large Ringlets, Erebia euryale
Large Ringlets, Erebia euryale

The satyrine clade

Mimics of the Danainae and restricted to host plants in the family Moraceae. Milkweed butterflies are a Subfamily, Danainae, in the family Nymphalidae, or brush-footed butterflies Moraceae is a family of Flowering plants commonly known as the mulberry or fig family [3]
Tropical canopy butterflies. Charaxinae, the leafwings, is a nymphalid Subfamily of butterflies that includes about 400 Species, inhabiting mainly the tropics Caterpillars often with head spines or projections. Mostly edible species with some Batesian mimics. Host plants in the families Annonaceae, Celastraceae, Convolvulaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Flacourtiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, Piperaceae, Poaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rutaceae, Santalaceae and Sapindaceae. Annonaceae family also called custard apple family is a family of Flowering plants consisting of Trees Shrubs or rarely woody Lianas The Celastraceae (or Staff vine or bittersweet family syn Canotiaceae Chingithamnaceae Euonymaceae Goupiaceae Lophopyxidaceae The Convolvulaceae, known commonly as the Bindweed or Morning glory family, is a group of about 60 genera and more than 1650 species of mostly The Spurge family ( Euphorbiaceae) is a large family of Flowering plants with 300 genera and around 7500 species Fabaceae or Leguminosae is a large and economically important family of Flowering plants which is commonly known as the legume family, pea Flacourtiaceae was a Flowering plant family in the Cronquist system and several others of plant classification The Lauraceae or Laurel family comprises a group of Flowering plants included in the order Laurales. The Myrtaceae or Myrtle family are a family of Dicotyledon Plants placed within the order Myrtales. Piperaceae is the Botanical name for a family of Flowering plants. Poaceae or Gramineae is a family in the Class Liliopsida of the flowering plants. Rhamnaceae, the Buckthorn family is a large family of flowering Plants mostly trees Shrubs and some vines Rutaceae, commonly known as the Rue or Citrus family is a family of Plants usually placed in the order Sapindales. Santalaceae is a widely distributed family of Flowering plants which like other members of Santalales are partially parasitic on other plants Sapindaceae, also known as the soapberry family, is a family of Flowering plants in the order Sapindales. [3]
Include the spectacular neotropical Morphos. A Morpho butterfly may be one of over 80 species of the Genus Morpho. Food plants include the Arecaceae, Bignoniaceae, Fabaceae, Menispermaceae, Poaceae and Sapindaceae. Arecaceae or Palmae (also known by the name Palmaceae, which is taxonomically invalid or commonly palm tree) the palm family is a family of Flowering The Bignoniaceae, or Trumpet Creeper Family, is a family of Flowering plants comprising of about 650-750 species in 116-120 genera. Fabaceae or Leguminosae is a large and economically important family of Flowering plants which is commonly known as the legume family, pea Menispermaceae is the Botanical name for a family of Flowering plants. Poaceae or Gramineae is a family in the Class Liliopsida of the flowering plants. Sapindaceae, also known as the soapberry family, is a family of Flowering plants in the order Sapindales.
  • Brassolini (Owls. Neotropical with 70–80 species. Mostly crepuscular. Sometimes considered a subfamily Brassolinae. )
Host plants in the families Arecaceae, Bromeliaceae, Heliconiaceae, Musaceae, and Poaceae. Arecaceae or Palmae (also known by the name Palmaceae, which is taxonomically invalid or commonly palm tree) the palm family is a family of Flowering Heliconiaceae is a Botanical name for a family of Flowering plants. Musaceae is a Botanical name for a family of Flowering plants. Poaceae or Gramineae is a family in the Class Liliopsida of the flowering plants. [3]
Host plants in the families Arecaceae, Araceae, Cyperaceae, Heliconiaceae, Poaceae, and Selaginellaceae. Arecaceae or Palmae (also known by the name Palmaceae, which is taxonomically invalid or commonly palm tree) the palm family is a family of Flowering The arums comprise the Family Araceae (including the numerous Aroids subfamily monocotyledonous Flowering plants in which Flowers The family Cyperaceae, or the sedges, is a taxon of monocot Flowering plants that superficially resemble grasses or rushes Heliconiaceae is a Botanical name for a family of Flowering plants. Poaceae or Gramineae is a family in the Class Liliopsida of the flowering plants. Spikemoss refers to any plant of the genus Selaginella in the family Selaginellaceae
Red Postman, Heliconius erato
Red Postman, Heliconius erato

The heliconiine clade (sister group of the nymphaline clade; excludes former tribes Biblidini and Cyrestini, and tribes Pseudergolini and Coeini. Heliconius erato is a Butterfly commonly known under a variety of names such as the "Red Postman" the "Small Postman" the "Red Cladistics is the hierarchical classification of Species based on evolutionary ancestry In Biology, a tribe &mdashor infrafamily&mdashis a Taxonomic rank between family and Genus. )

Colourful tropical butterflies noted for Müllerian mimicry. Biological mimicry occurs when a group of organisms the mimics, have All species use host plants in the family Passifloraceae. Passifloraceae is a family of Flowering plants, containing about 530 species classified in around 18 genera
  • Acraeini (Mostly African, but some species in Asia. Sometimes considered a family Acraeinae. )
Host plant in the families Asteraceae, Passifloraceae, Sterculiaceae, Tiliaceae and Urticaceae.
Indian Tortoiseshell, Nymphalis kaschmirensis
Indian Tortoiseshell, Nymphalis kaschmirensis

The nymphaline clade (sister group of the heliconiine clade; also includes tribes Coeini and Pseudergolini)

Host plants in the family Ulmaceae. Limentidinae is a Subfamily of Butterflies that includes admirals and their relatives The Indian Tortoiseshell ( Nymphalis kaschmirensis) is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in Asia. Cladistics is the hierarchical classification of Species based on evolutionary ancestry Ulmaceae is a family of flowering plant that includes the Elms (genus Ulmus) and the Zelkovas (genus Zelkova) Caterpillars smooth with bifid tails and horns on the head. [3]
Some species migratory. Caterpillars sometimes covered in spines. Host plants include Acanthaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Convolvulaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fagaceae, Flacourtiaceae, Lamiaceae, Loranthaceae, Moraceae, Plantaginaceae, Poaceae, Rubiaceae, Rutaceae, Salicaceae, Sapindaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Urticaceae and Verbenaceae. [3]
A Red Admiral feeding on Buddleia.
A Red Admiral feeding on Buddleia. The Red Admiral or Vanessa atalanta (previously also known as Pyrameis atalanta) is a well-known colourful Butterfly, found in temperate Buddleja, also often spelled Buddleia, is a Genus of flowering Plants It is now included in the Scrophulariaceae, though in the

Notable species


Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c Bingham (1905)
  2. ^ Wahlberg et al. The Archdukes are a Genus ( Lexias) of tropical Forest -dwelling butterflies that are common throughout Southeast Asia and The California tortoiseshell ( Nymphalis californica) is a Butterfly of the Nymphalidae family The Comma ( Polygonia c-album) is a species of Butterfly, common in the United Kingdom and with a distribution across Europe and temperate Asia to Japan Junonia coenia is the Common Buckeye butterfly It is found in all parts of the United States except the northwest and is especially common in the South the Libytheana carinenta, the American or Common Snout Butterfly, is a member of the Libytheinae Subfamily, in the brush-footed butterfly family Cracker butterflies are a Neotropical group of medium-sized Butterfly species of the genus Hamadryas. The Crimson Patch ( Chlosyne janais) also known as the Janais Patch, is a common New World Butterfly found from Colombia north through The Lorquin's Admiral ( Limenitis lorquini) is a Butterfly from the Nymphalinae subfamily The Marsh Fritillary ( Euphydryas aurinia) is a Butterfly of the Nymphalidae family The Meadow Brown ( Maniola jurtina) is a butterfly found in European Meadows where its Larvae feed on Grasses such as Sheep's Nymphalis antiopa, known as the Mourning Cloak in North America and the Camberwell Beauty in the British Isles, is a large Butterfly The monarch ( Danaus plexippus) is a Milkweed butterfly ( Subfamily Danainae in the family Nymphalidae. The Menelaus Blue Morpho ( Morpho menelaus) is an iridescent tropical Butterfly of Central and South America. The Painted Lady group of colourful butterflies comprises the Subgenus Cynthia of the genus Vanessa in the Family Polygonia interrogationis is a North American nymphalid butterfly called the Question Mark The Red Admiral or Vanessa atalanta (previously also known as Pyrameis atalanta) is a well-known colourful Butterfly, found in temperate The Small Heath ( Coenonympha pamphilus) is a Butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae. The Small Tortoiseshell ( Nymphalis urticae) is a well-known colourful Butterfly, found in temperate Europe. (2003)
  3. ^ a b c d e DeVries (2001)

References

External links

The Tree of Life Web Project is an ongoing Internet project providing information about the diversity and Phylogeny of Life on Earth
© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
 Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic