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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 redu ...

subfamily of

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

that includes about 400

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), 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 ...

, 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 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 ...

, 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.

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'' Tribe Pallini Rydon, 1971 * '' Palla'' Tribe Prothoini Roepke, 1938 * '' Prothoe'' * '' Agatasa'' – 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 abun ...

'' * ''

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 i ...

'' * ''

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 splen ...

'' (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 oft ...

(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 th ...

'' * ''

Fountainea ''Fountainea'' is a genus of Neotropical leaf butterflies. Their wing undersides usually mimic dead leaves. This genus honours Margaret Fountaine, a renowned entomologist. Species There are eight species in the genus: * ''Fountainea centaur ...

'' * ''

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 ...

'' * ''

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 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 ...

'' * ''

Siderone ''Siderone'' is a Neotropical nymphalid butterfly genus in the subfamily Charaxinae. Species * ''Siderone galanthis'' (Cramer, 775 – scarlet leafwing, red-and-black leafwing, or red-striped leafwing * ''Siderone nemesis'' (Illiger, 1801) � ...

'' * ''

Zaretis ''Zaretis'' is a Neotropical nymphalid butterfly genus in the subfamily Charaxinae. Species Listed alphabetically:Glassberg, Jeffrey. (2007) A Swift Guide to Butterflies of Mexico and Central America. Sunstreak Books Inc. p. 122."''Zaretis'' ...

References

External links

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