Libytheinae Explained

The Libytheinae are a nymphalid subfamily known as snout butterflies, containing two valid genera and about ten species: six in Libythea and four in Libytheana. The common name refers to the thick labial palps (pedipalps) that look like a "snout" in this subfamily. In older literature, this group was recognized as the family Libytheidae. They are medium-sized and typically a drab brown.^[1] The front legs are reduced in length and the ventral hindwings are cryptically colored to help them blend in with their surroundings.^[1] While at rest, the members of this subfamily keep their wings tightly closed to resemble dead leaves.^[1]

Classification

Libytheinae is a subfamily of the family Nymphalidae:^[2]

• Family Nymphalidae Rafinesque, 1815
  • Subfamily Libytheinae Boisduval, 1833
    • Libythea Fabricius, 1807
    • Libytheana Michener, 1943

References

• Freitas, A. V. L., & Brown, K. S., Jr. (2004). Phylogeny of the Nymphalidae (Lepidoptera). Systematic Biology 53(3):363-383.
• Kawahara, A. Y. (2003). Rediscovery of Libythea collenettei Poulton & Riley (Nymphalidae: Libytheinae) in the Marquesas, and a description of the male. Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 57:81-85.
• Shields, O. (1984). A revised, annotated checklist of world Libytheidae. Journal for Research on the Lepidoptera 22: 264-266.

External links

• Tree of Life: Libytheinae
• Libytheinae at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms

Notes and References

1. Book: Daniels, Jaret C. . Butterflies of the Carolinas . Adventure Publications, Inc. . 2003 . Cambridge, MN . 12. 1-59193-007-3.
2. https://web.archive.org/web/20090220094143/http://www.nymphalidae.net/Classification/Higher_class.htm The higher classification of Nymphalidae, at Nymphalidae.net