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 like a dead leaf.
When the wings are held closed, this results in a remarkable masquerade of a dead leaf, further emphasized by their wing shape.
Taxonomy
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 albofasciata <small>Moore, 1877</small> â Andaman oakleaf
- Kallima alompra <small>Moore, 1879</small> â scarce blue oak leaf
- Kallima buxtoni <small>Moore, 1879</small>
- Kallima horsfieldii <small>(Kollar, 1844)</small> â Sahyadri blue oakleaf
- Kallima inachus <small>(Boisduval, 1846)</small> â orange oakleaf, Indian oakleaf, dead leaf
- Kallima limborgii <small>Moore, 1879</small> â Peninsular Malaya leaf butterfly
- Kallima knyvetti <small>de Nicéville, 1886</small> â scarce blue oakleaf
- Kallima paralekta <small>(Horsfield, 1829)</small> â Indian leafwing
- Kallima philarchus <small>(Westwood, 1848)</small> â Ceylon blue oakleaf
- Kallima spiridiva <small>Grose-Smith, 1885</small>
Gallery
References