Kallima

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 rear 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.

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:^[1]

• Kallima albofasciata Moore, 1877 – Andaman Oakleaf
• Kallima alompra Moore, 1879 – Scarce Blue Oak Leaf
• Kallima buxtoni Moore, 1879
• Kallima horsfieldi (Kollar, 1844) – South Indian Blue Oakleaf
• Kallima inachus (Boisduval, 1846) – Orange Oakleaf, Indian Oakleaf, Dead Leaf
• Kallima limborgii Moore, 1879 – Peninsular Malaya Leaf Butterfly
• Kallima knyvetti de Nicéville, 1886
• Kallima paralekta (Horsfield, 1829) – Indian Leafwing
• Kallima philarchus (Westwood, 1848) – Ceylon Blue Oakleaf
• Kallima spiridiva Grose-Smith, 1885

References