Limenitidinae

{{Short description|Subfamily of butterfly family Nymphalidae}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| image = Tanaecia iapis 060406 stgd.jpg

| image_caption = Tanaecia iapis (Adoliadini)

| taxon = Limenitidinae

| authority = Behr, 1864

| subdivision_ranks = Tribes

| subdivision =

| synonyms =

}}

File:Atericagalene.jpg specimen (Adoliadini)]]

File:Euphaedra (Xypetana) xypete MHNT ventre.jpg (Adoliadini)]]

File:Hamanumida daedalus-01 (xndr).jpg (Adoliadini)]]

File:Grey Count (Tanaecia lepidea) at Samsing, Duars, West Bengal W IMG 6109.jpg - grey count from (Adoliadini)]]

File:Adelpha syma sup.jpg of the Limenitidini is sometimes placed in Limenitis]]

File:Limenitis camilla Schwaebisch Hall-Wackershofen 20070716 7.jpg (Limenitis camilla: Limenitidini)]]

The Limenitidinae are a subfamily of butterflies that includes the admirals and relatives. The common names of many species and genera reference military ranks or – namely the Adoliadinititles of nobility (e.g., count, duke, earl, and marquis), in reference to these butterflies' large size, bold patterns, and dashing flight. In particular, the light stripe running lengthwise across the wings of many Limenitidini has reminded earlier authors of officers' (e.g. admiral, commander, commodore) shoulder marks and epaulets.

In flight, many of these butterflies have the habit of flapping their wings, so the (usually) bright upperside and the cryptic underside alternate for the observer, then gliding for prolonged distances, with the motionless wings held outstretched. The common names of some Limenitidinae – "aeroplanes", "clippers", or "gliders" – refer to this flight pattern.

Systematics

The Biblidinae are sometimes merged here. The present subfamily is also sometimes included as a tribe Limenitidini in the Nymphalinae. But in fact, their closest living relatives seem to be the Heliconiinae.Wahlberg & Brower (2007a,b)

The Limenitidinae are traditionally divided into four tribes, of which the Parthenini are the most basal lineage and the others form a close-knit and more apomorphic radiation. While this basic layout is likely to be fairly correct, a few genera cannot be easily assigned to the three "modern" tribes and seem to be somewhat intermediate. In particular, the delimitation of the Limenitidini versus the Neptini is in need of more study.Wahlberg & Brower (2007a), and see references in Savela (2008)

=Genera and selected species=

The genera of Limenitidinae, sorted per tribe in the presumed phylogenetic sequence and with some species also listed, are:

Tribe Parthenini Reuter, 1896

Tribe Adoliadini Doubleday, 1845

Tribe Limenitidini Behr, 1864

File:Neptis pryeri pryeri.jpg (Neptini)]]

Tribe Neptini Newman, 1870

File:Pseuodoneptiscoenobita.jpg is sometimes placed in the Limenitidini. It resembles Neptis species, but probably due to mimicry rather than parallel evolution]]

Incertae sedis

Footnotes

{{Reflist}}

References

  • {{aut|Savela, Markku}} (2008): Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms – [http://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/papilionoidea/nymphalidae/limenitidinae/index.html Limenitidinae]. Version of 31 August 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
  • {{aut|Wahlberg, Niklas & Brower, Andrew V.Z.}} (2007a): Tree of Life Web Project – [http://tolweb.org/Limenitidinae/12196/2007.01.15 Limenitidinae]. Version of 15 January 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
  • {{aut|Wahlberg, Niklas & Brower, Andrew V.Z.}} (2007b): Tree of Life Web Project – [http://tolweb.org/Nymphalidae/12172/2007.02.19 Nymphalidae]. Version of 19 February 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2009.