Nymphalis
Encyclopedia
Nymphalis, commonly known as Tortoiseshells, is a genus
of brush-footed
butterflies. The genera
Aglais
, Inachis, Polygonia
, and Kaniska
, are sometimes included as subgenera of Nymphalis but they are usually considered to be unique genera. See also Anglewing
butterflies. For other Tortoiseshells, see the genus, Aglais
.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of brush-footed
Nymphalidae
The Nymphalidae is a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies which are distributed throughout most of the world. These are usually medium sized to large butterflies. Most species have a reduced pair of forelegs and many hold their colourful wings flat when resting. They are also called...
butterflies. The genera
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Aglais
Aglais
Aglais is a genus of brush-footed butterflies, containing the Tortoiseshells. This genus is sometimes included as a subgenus of Nymphalis, which also includes Tortoiseshells, but it is usually considered to be separate.-Species:...
, Inachis, Polygonia
Polygonia
Polygonia is a genus of butterflies with a conspicuous white mark on the underside of each hindwing, hence the common name Comma. They also have conspicuous angular notches on the outer edges of their forewings, hence the other common name Anglewing butterflies...
, and Kaniska
Kaniska canace
The Blue Admiral is the only species of the genus, Kaniska, a nymphalid butterfly found as far north as southeastern Siberia, west to Japan and Korea, east to India and south to Sri Lanka, Burma and parts of Indonesia...
, are sometimes included as subgenera of Nymphalis but they are usually considered to be unique genera. See also Anglewing
Anglewing
Anglewing butterflies — sensu Schiffermueller, [1775]A monophyletic group of nymphaline butterflies inhabiting Northern hemisphere, characterized by a jagged outline of their wings and the ability to survive the winter months as adults in an obligatory hibernal diapause, hiding in various...
butterflies. For other Tortoiseshells, see the genus, Aglais
Aglais
Aglais is a genus of brush-footed butterflies, containing the Tortoiseshells. This genus is sometimes included as a subgenus of Nymphalis, which also includes Tortoiseshells, but it is usually considered to be separate.-Species:...
.
Species
- Nymphalis antiopaNymphalis antiopaNymphalis antiopa, known as the Mourning Cloak in North America and the Camberwell Beauty in Britain, is a large butterfly native to Eurasia and North America. See also Anglewing butterflies. The immature form of this species is sometimes known as the spiny elm caterpillar. Other older names for...
(Linnaeus, 1758) – Mourning Cloak or Camberwell Beauty - Nymphalis californica (BoisduvalJean Baptiste BoisduvalJean Baptiste Alphonse Dechauffour de Boisduval was a French lepidopterist and physician. He developed the Boisduval scale and identified many new species of butterflies. One of the most celebrated lepidopterists of France, he was the co-founder of the Société Entomologique de France...
, 1852) – California Tortoiseshell - Nymphalis cyanomelasNymphalis cyanomelasThe Mexican Tortoiseshell is a species in the Nymphalidae family. It resides from southern Mexico to El Salvador. See also Anglewing butterflies.-Description:...
(Doubleday, 1849) – Mexican Tortoiseshell - Nymphalis polychloros (Linnaeus, 1758) – Large Tortoiseshell or Blackleg Tortoiseshell
- Nymphalis vaualbumNymphalis vaualbumThe Compton Tortoiseshell , also known as the False Comma, is a species in the Nymphalidae family.-Description:...
or Nymphalis l-album (EsperEugenius Johann Christoph EsperEugenius Johann Christoph Esper was a German entomologist. Born in Wunsiedel in Bavaria, he was professor of zoology at Erlangen university.-Life and work:...
, 1781) – Compton Tortoiseshell or False Comma - Nymphalis xanthomelasNymphalis xanthomelasThe Scarce Tortoiseshell is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in Asia. This butterfly is also referred as Yellow-legged Tortoisehell or Large Tortoiseshell .-Description:Upper side rich orange-yellow, Fore wing has costal margin dusky black on...
(Esper, 1781) – Scarce Tortoiseshell or Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell