www.small-beings.org
www.small-beings.org
Die Edelfalter (Nymphalidae) sind eine Familie der Ordnung der Schmetterlinge (Lepidoptera). Zu dieser großen, weltweit etwa 6000 Arten umfassenden Familie gehören einige der farbenprächtigsten Falter Europas. Unter diesen Arten sind zahlreiche sehr bekannte Vertreter der Schmetterlinge wie z. B. Tagpfauenauge (Inachis io) und Kleiner Fuchs (Aglais urticae) zu finden.
Der Text handelt von den Merkmalen, der Lebensweise, Entwicklung und Systematik der Edelfalter. Die Edelfalter haben eine Flügelspannweite von 40 bis 100 Millimetern und besitzen breite Vorderflügel mit verschiedenen Farben und Mustern. Ihre Raupen ernähren sich von verschiedenen Pflanzenfamilien. Die Verpuppung der Edelfalter findet als Stürzpuppe statt und viele Unterfamilien werden neuerdings als Teil der Familie Nymphalidae angesehen. Die Biodiversität der Edelfalter liegt hauptsächlich in den Tropen Südamerikas.
The Nymphalidae are the largest family of butterflies, with more than 6,000 species distributed throughout most of the world. Belonging to the superfamily Papilionoidea, they are usually medium-sized to large butterflies. Most species have a reduced pair of forelegs and many hold their colourful wings flat when resting. They are also called brush-footed butterflies or four-footed butterflies, because they are known to stand on only four legs while the other two are curled up; in some species, these forelegs have a brush-like set of hairs, which gives this family its other common name. Many species are brightly coloured and include popular species such as the emperors, monarch butterfly, admirals, tortoiseshells, and fritillaries. However, the under wings are, in contrast, often dull and in some species look remarkably like dead leaves, or are much paler, producing a cryptic effect that helps the butterflies blend into their surroundings.
Summary: The article discusses the nomenclature, classification, and morphology of the Nymphalidae family, also known as four-footed or brush-footed butterflies. The author mentions that the attribution of the family to Rafinesque has been widely accepted. The butterflies in this family have reduced forelegs and hairy or spiky caterpillars with projections on their heads. The use of only four legs in these butterflies is a notable trait, and researchers suggest that the forelegs may be used for signaling and communication.