Subfamily Limenitidinae - Admirals, Sisters

This subfamily has been used at times as a dumping ground for a wide assortment of mostly tropical butterflies, most of which are not particularly closely related to Limenitis and its close kin (most are included more properly the Biblidinae, Cyrestinae, and Nymphalinae). The Limenitidinae is actually a relatively small subfamily of butterflies, widespread through the world, but best represented in Asia and Africa. The subfamily is very closely related to the Heliconiinae (as evidenced by the structure of the adults and larvae, and by molecular studies). The subfamily is represented in the Americas by only two genera (Limenitis and Adelpha).