Limenitidinae
The Limenitidinae are a subfamily of butterflies that includes the admirals and relatives. The common names of many species and genera reference military ranks or – namely the Adoliadini – titles of nobility, in reference to these butterflies' large size, bold patterns, and dashing flight. In particular, the light stripe running lengthwise across the wings of many Limenitidini has reminded earlier authors of officers' shoulder marks and epaulets.
In flight, many of these butterflies have the habit of flapping their wings, so the bright upperside and the cryptic underside alternate for the observer, then gliding for prolonged distances, with the motionless wings held outstretched. The common names of some Limenitidinae – "aeroplanes", "clippers", or "gliders" – refer to this flight pattern.
Systematics
The Biblidinae are sometimes merged here. The present subfamily is also sometimes included as a tribe Limenitidini in the Nymphalinae. But in fact, their closest living relatives seem to be the Heliconiinae.The Limenitidinae are traditionally divided into four tribes, of which the Parthenini is sister to the other three, which form a close-knit and more apomorphic radiation. While this basic layout is likely to be fairly correct, a few genera cannot be easily assigned to the three "modern" tribes and seem to be somewhat intermediate. In particular, the delimitation of the Limenitidini versus the Neptini is in need of more study.
Genera and selected species
The genera of Limenitidinae, sorted per tribe in the presumed phylogenetic sequence and with some species also listed, are:Tribe Parthenini Reuter, 1896Bhagadatta Moore, Parthenos – clippers
Tribe Adoliadini Doubleday, 1845Abrota Moore, 1857Bassarona Moore, – marquises, dukes
- * Bassarona durga – blue duke
- * Bassarona iva – grand duke
- * Bassarona recta – redtail marquis
- * Bassarona teuta – banded marquisDophla Moore, – dukes
- * Dophla evelina – redspot dukeEuthalia – barons, dukesEuthaliopsis Neervoort van de Poll, 1896Lexias – archdukesNeurosigma Butler, 1868Tanaecia Butler, – counts
- * Tanaecia cocytus – lavender count
- * Tanaecia julii – common earl
- * Tanaecia lepidea – grey count
- * Tanaecia pelea – Malay viscountAterica Boisduval, 1833 – forest-glade nymphsBebearia Hemming, 1960Catuna Kirby, 1871 – pathfindersCrenidomimas Karsch, 1894Cynandra Schatz, – brilliant nymphEuphaedra Hübner, – typical foresters, figeatersEuptera Staudinger, Euriphene Boisduval, 1847Euryphaedra Staudinger, Euryphura Staudinger, Euryphurana Hecq, 1992 – noble commanderHamanumida Hübner, – guineafowlHarmilla Aurivillius, 1892 – elegant foresterPseudargynnis Karsch, 1892 – false fritillaryPseudathyma Staudinger, – false sergeants
- * Adelpha basiloides
- * Adelpha bredowii – Mexico sister
- * Adelpha californica – California sister
- * Adelpha eulalia – Arizona sister
- * Adelpha fessonia – band-celled sisterAuzakia Moore,
- * Auzakia danava – commodoreLelecella Hemming, 1939Limenitis – admiralsLitinga Moore, Parasarpa Moore,
- * Parasarpa dudu – white commodore
- * Parasarpa zayla – bicolor commodorePatsuia Moore, Sumalia Moore,
- * Sumalia daraxa – green commodore
- * Sumalia zulema – scarce white commodoreModuza Moore, – commanders
- * Moduza procris – commanderTarattia Moore, Athyma – sergeantsPandita Moore, 1857Tacola Moore,
- * Pantoporia assamica – Assam lascar
- * Pantoporia bieti – Tytler's lascar
- * Pantoporia hordonia – common lascar
- * Pantoporia karwara – Karwar lascar
- * Pantoporia paraka – Perak lascar
- * Pantoporia sandaka – extra lascarPhaedyma Felder, 1861 – aeroplanes
- * Phaedyma shepherdi – common aeroplane
Incertae sedisCymothoe Hübner, – typical gliders
- * Cymothoe caenis
- * Cymothoe hobarti – Hobart's red glider
- * Cymothoe sangarisHarma Doubleday, – angular glider Kumothales Overlaet, 1940 Lamasia Moore, Lebadea Felder, 1861
- * Lebadea martha – knightPseudacraea – false acraeas Pseudoneptis Snellen, 1882 – blue sailers Chalinga Moore, 1898