Nymphalidae is the largest family of butterflies, with more than 6,000 species distributed throughout most of the world, usually medium sized to large and known by alternative names such as brush-footed or four-footed butterflies because they rest on only four legs while keeping the front pair folded. Notable members include monarchs, emperors, admirals and fritillaries, many displaying vibrant coloration on the upper wings and duller, camouflaging undersides.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Scientific Name Member Species/Taxa Count Geographic DistributionThroughout most of the world 1 Defining CharacteristicsMost species have a reduced pair of forelegs and hold their colourful wings flat when resting 1 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceColourful upper wings, with under wings often dull and in some species looking like dead leaves 1 Classification
Living or Extinct Nymphalidae
Filter Results3 entries
Connections
Parent Taxon Of
Source Melanargia lachesis (Wikidata)
Source Wikidata: Peacock Butterfly
Source Wikidata: Red Admiral
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Nymphalidae
Lead, first sentence, main clause
are the largest family of butterflies
Lead, first sentence, subject
The Nymphalidae are the largest family
Lead, first sentence, species count
The Nymphalidae are the largest family of butterflies, with more than 6,000 species distributed throughout most of the world
Lead, first sentence, distribution clause
distributed throughout most of the world
Introduction, sentence on forelegs
Most species have a reduced pair of forelegs and many hold their colourful wings flat when resting.
Introduction, sentence on under wings
the under wings are, in contrast, often dull and in some species look remarkably like dead leaves
In Group: Butterfly Families, Lead
The Nymphalidae are the largest family of butterflies, with more than 6,000 species distributed throughout most of the world.
View the Source2. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ156449, descriptionView the Source Wikidata: Nymphalidae
Wikidata Q156449, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Wikidata: Red Admiral
Parent Taxon Of: Red Admiral, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source Wikidata: Peacock Butterfly
Parent Taxon Of: Peacock Butterfly, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source Melanargia lachesis (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Melanargia lachesis, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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