NYMPHALIDAE Flashcards
Nymphalidae
Nymphalidae are the largest family of butterflies, with over 6000 species distributed around most of the world. They are usually medium to large-sized butterflies.
What is characteristic of the legs of Nymphalidae?
They have a reduced pair of forelegs which cause them to seem four footed. These forelegs curl up while the other four remain on the surface. They are also known as brush-footed butterflies because of their forelegs’ brush-like set of hairs.
What is characterisitc of Nymphalidae wings?
Nymphalidae wings are often brightly colored but have undersides which are much more drab, a cryptic and pale imitation of dead leaves and wood.
What is the origin for the nomenclature nymphalidae?
Rafinesque, a 19th century polymath, introduced the name Nymphalia as a subfamily name in diurnal Lepidoptera. He did not include Nymphalis among the listed genera, but Nymphalis was unequivically implied in the formation of the name.
How are the caterpillar of Nymphalidae?
They are very hairy or spiky with projections on their heads, and the chrysalids have shiny spots.
How could we classify by wing characteristics?
The submedial vein in not branched, the medial vein has three branches, veins 2,3, and 4. Veins 5 and 6 arise from points of junction of the discocellulars. Vein 7 is the subcoastal vein, never having more than 4 branches (veins 8-11). The hindwings have internal and precostal veins.
What about the antannae of Nymphalidae?
They always have grooves on the underside; the club is variable in shape,
What about the legs?
Many have their forelegs severely shortened, with atrophy being considerable.
Phylogeny of Nymphalidae?
The Phylogeny of Nymphalidae is rather unclear, as many of the taxa are in an unclear position due to some subfamilies being labeled distinct due to insufficient study.
What are the 5 main clades of Nymphalidae?
The libytheine clade
The danaine clade
The satyrine clade
The heliconiine clade
The Nymphalinae clade
Morphology
The morphology of Nymphalidae is mostly concerned with the atrophy or shortness of the forelegs, particularly their evolutionary function. The common theory posits that the legs, because some have soft hairs called setae, are made in such a way as to improve the sense of smell and therefore improve signaling and communication between species.
