Brush-footed butterfly

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

Related Topics:
Family - Species - Butterflies

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These are typically fairly large butterfies, such as the emperor, 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.

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

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Several species are attracted to Buddleia, the butterfly plant.

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Species include:

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

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