Family Nymphalidae - Brushfooted Butterflies

Classification · Numbers · Identification · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

The forming of a chrysalis - Danaus plexippus

Spikey caterpillar 1 - Speyeria cybele - male

brushfoot caterpillar? - Polygonia satyrus

Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Papilionoidea (Butterflies (excluding skippers))

Family Nymphalidae (Brushfooted Butterflies)

Numbers

Worldwide about 6000 spp. in 544 genera

209 species in North America

Identification

You have to look closely at some members of this family to distinguish the six legs common to all insects. The adult butterfly's front pair of legs is modified into two small "brushes", and only four legs are used for walking around.

Print References

(1) Opler/Malikul, Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Butterflies

Internet References

Checklist of North American Nymphalidae Species

Works Cited

1.	A Field Guide to Eastern Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) By Paul A. Opler, Vichai Malikul, Roger Tory Peterson

Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason, Beatriz Moisset, David Ferguson
Last updated 26 November, 2008 - 11:47pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2010 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.

Printer Friendly Version