Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Scudderia Grote, 1873 [Homonym - invalid]
Euvanessa Scudder, 1889
Roddia Korshunov, 1995
Antiopana Korb, 2005
Explanation of Names
The species N. vau-album = N. l-album = N. j-album has been separated by some into the genus Roddia. This is not generally accepted by most, but has caught on with some. Using Johathon Pelham's listing as a standard, the genus Roddia is not recognized in BugGuide as distinct from Nymphalis. The differences are trivial, and molecular studies do not support their distinction at generic level.
see Catalogue of the Butterflies of the United States and Canada. Jonathan Pelham. 2008. Journal of Research on the Lepidoptera 40: xiv + 658 pp.
or
of the Butterflies of the United States and Canada
Preparatory to publication of the Catalogue - PDF © Jonathan P. Pelham August 2006
It is highly debated as to whether Roddia is a genus distinct from Nymphalis. General opinion and cytological studies both favor it not being disinct. The use of the name Roddia will probably turn out to be a short-lived "fad". Further, some would include Polyognia, Kaniska, Aglais (includes Inachis), Roddia, and Nymphalis all as one genus, and there are good arguments for this too.
[For example, see here:
FUNET] However, most would prefer to have at least some of these remain as distinct genera.
The following paper goes into great detail on proposed phylogenetic relationships based on cytology, and proposes a classification for the subfamily Nymphalinae. It is probably very close to what will become generally accepted in the future. Roddia is not recognized as distinct in this study.
On similar grounds, the
Milbert's Tortoiseshell -
Aglais urticae is excluded from
Nymphalis and placed in the separate genus
Aglais (see
discussion in Taxonomy Forum)
[comment revised 05/06/08 by David J. Ferguson]
Numbers
6 or 7 species World-wide (depending on if Kaniska canace is included).
4 species in North America (one is only in Mexico).
Range
Northern Hemisphere in temperate and boreal regions.
Food
Larvae feed primarily on Betulaceae, Salicaceae and Ulmaceae.
Adults rarely visit flowers, and tend to favor plant sap, fermenting fruit, carrion, etc.
Life Cycle
Overwinter as adults, and may produce one to several broods per year depending upon the species and the region.
