Nymphalini


Nymphalini is a tribe of nymphalid brush-footed butterflies. Common names include admirals, anglewings, commas, and tortoiseshells, but none of these is specific to one particular genus.
The name anglewing butterflies is an English translation of a Latin term papiliones angulati, ,. Based on an overall similarity in the angulate wing shape, a collective name: Papiliones angulati was employed for Papilio atalanta, P. antiopa, P. cardui, P. c-album, P. io, P. polychloros, P. urticae, P. xanthomelas, P. vaualbum, P. levana and P. prorsa. The term papiliones angulati is applied as a collective taxon name, which therefore needs no type species as specified in Article 42.3.1 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Papiliones angulati has thus been re-defined to apply only to a clade: Nymphalis sensu lato, and to specifically exclude Papilio atalanta, P. cardui, P. levana, and P. prorsa .
This monophyletic group of nymphaline butterflies inhabiting the Northern Hemisphere are 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 shelters. The signature mark of all butterflies is the cryptic colour and maculation of the ventral side of their wings, serving to conceal the hibernating butterfly against the substrate on which it rests.

Genera

Listed alphabetically:Aglais Dalman, 1816 – tortoiseshellsAntanartia Rothschild & Jordan, 1903 – African red admiralsAraschnia Hübner, 1819Hypanartia Hübner, 1821 – mapwingsInachis – European peacock Kaniska Moore, 1899 – blue admiral Mynes Boisduval, 1832Nymphalis Kluk, 1781 – anglewings, tortoiseshellsPolygonia Hübner, 1819 – anglewings, commasSymbrenthia Hübner, 1819 – jestersVanessa Fabricius, 1807 – red admirals, Kamehameha butterflies, painted ladies
The monotypic genus Tigridia is sometimes placed here as a very basal offshoot close to Colobura, sometimes in the related tribe Coeini.
Prehistoric genera only known from fossils are: