Brush-footed butterfly

Nymphalidae
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Animalia Subkingdom: Metazoa Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Hexapoda Class: Insecta Subclass: Pterygota Infraclass: Neoptera Superorder: Endopterygota Order: Lepidoptera Suborder: Ditrysia Division: Rhopalocera Superfamily: Papilionoidea Family: Nymphalidae
Author:	Swainson, 1827
Type species:	Nymphalis polychloros (Large Tortoiseshell)
Diversity:	633 genera 5,698 species
Subfamilies
Apaturinae Biblidinae Calinaginae Charaxinae Cyrestinae Danainae Heliconiinae Libytheinae Limenitidinae Morphinae Nymphalinae Satyrinae

The Nymphalidae are a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies.

These are typically fairly large butterfies, such as the admirals, tortoiseshells and fritillaries, which have very colourful upperparts. However, the underwings are dull and often look like dead leaves, which helps to conceal stationary or hibernating insects.

The front two legs are small, so these butterflies are effectively four-legged. The caterpillars are hairy or spiky, and the crysalids have shiny spots.

Several species are attracted to Buddleia, the butterfly plant.

Species include

• Morpho
• Painted Lady
• Red Admiral
• Camberwell Beauty
• Small Tortoiseshell
• Peacock
• Silver-washed Fritillary
• Speckled Wood

Small Tortoiseshell

The classification shown here follows most modern taxonomists in relegating the following well known butterfly families to the status of subfamilies of the Nymphalidae:

• the Satyridae or Browns
• the Danaidae or Milkweed butterfly
• the Heliconiidae, colourful tropical butteflies noted for polymorphic Batesian mimicry