Charaxes

Charaxes is a genus of butterflies, family Nymphalidae, subfamily Charaxinae, commonly called rajah and pasha butterflies and known as emperors in Africa and Australia; the exact number of recognized species is uncertain owing to complex taxonomy, but the genus is large. It is a tropical Old World genus with its highest diversity in sub-Saharan Africa, a smaller presence from South Asia to Melanesia and Australia, and a single species, Charaxes jasius, reaching Europe. Members have a wingspan of roughly 8 to 10 centimeters, a robust thorax and abdomen, wing colors ranging from tawny to black to pale with spots, bars or bands, and some species show metallic blue spots or an iridescent gloss; distinctive pointed tails on the hindwings give the genus its name, from a root meaning to sharpen or make pointed. Strong, rapid fliers popular among butterfly collectors, Charaxes species frequent sunny forest openings, rest with open or partly open wings, return consistently to favored perches, and feed on rotting fruit and tree oozes rather than nectar.