Charaxes

For the comic supervillain, see Killer Moth.

Charaxes
C. solon at Mahim Nature Park, Mumbai
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Charaxinae
Tribe: Charaxini
Genus: Charaxes
Ochsenheimer, 1816
Species

Many, see text

Synonyms
  • Paphia Fabricius, 1807
  • Eriboea Hübner, [1819]
  • Jasia Swainson, 1832
  • Monura Mabille, 1877
  • Haridra Moore, [1880]
  • Zingha Hemming, 1939
  • Hadrodontes Stoneham, 1964
  • Stonehamia Cowan, 1968

The rajah and pasha butterflies, also known as emperors in Africa and Australia,[1][2] (genus Charaxes) make up the huge type genus of the brush-footed butterfly subfamily Charaxinae, or leafwing butterflies. They belong to the tribe Charaxini, which also includes the nawab butterflies (Polyura). Charaxes are tropical Old World butterflies, with by far the highest diversity in sub-Saharan Africa, a smaller number from South Asia to Melanesia and Australia, and a single species (C. jasius) in Europe. They are generally strong flyers and very popular among butterfly collectors.

  1. ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
  2. ^ Braby, Michael F. (2004). Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia. CSIRO Publishing. pp. 174–175. ISBN 0643090274.