Oakleafs | |
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Kallima inachus, showing the leaf-like appearance of the closed wings, which is typical of the genus. | |
Kallima paralekta, male showing the brilliant colors of the upper surfaces of the wings. | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Nymphalidae |
Subfamily: | Nymphalinae |
Genus: |
Kallima Doubleday, 1849 |
Type species | |
Paphia paralekta Horsfield, [1829] |
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Species | |
See text |
See text
Kallima, known as the oakleaf or oak leaf butterflies, is a genus of butterflies of the subfamily Nymphalinae in the family Nymphalidae. They are found in east, south and southeast Asia. Their common name is a reference to the lower surface of their wings, which is various shades of brown. When the wings are held closed, this results in a remarkable similarity to a dead leaf, further emphasized by their wing shape.
This genus has traditionally also included a number of African species, but they are now usually placed in Kallimoides, Junonia (alternatively in Kamilla) and Mallika. The following species are currently members of the genus Kallima:
Kallima paralekta female