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Satyrinae, the satyrines or satyrids, commonly known as the Browns, is a subfamily of the Nymphalidae (brush-footed butterflies). They were formerly considered a distinct family, Satyridae. This group contains nearly half of the known diversity of brush-footed butterflies. It is estimated that the true number of the Satyrinae species may exceed 2,400.^2]

Overview

They are generally weak fliers and often shun bright sunlight. The caterpillars feed chiefly on monocotyledonous plants such as palms, grasses and bamboos. The Morphinae are sometimes united with this group.

The taxonomy and systematics of the subfamily are under heavy revision. Much of the early pioneering work of L. D. Miller^[3] has helped significantly by creating some sort of order. < i>Dyndirus (Capronnier, 1874) is a satyrid incertae sedis. Other than this genus, according to the latest studies on the classification of Nymphalidae all satyrines have been assigned to one of the 6 tribes, at least preliminarily.^[4] For detailed lists, see the tribe pages.

Footnotes

b>Satyrinae, the satyrines or satyrids, commonly known as the Browns, is a subfamily of the Ny mphalidae (brush-footed butterflies). They were formerly considered a distinct family, Satyridae. This group contains nearly half of the known diversity of brush-footed butterflies. It is estimated that the true number of the Satyrinae species may exceed 2,400.^2]

Overview

They are generally weak fliers and often shun bright sunlight. The caterpillars feed chiefly on monocotyledonous plants such as palms, grasses and bamboos. The Morphinae are sometimes united with this group.

The taxonomy and systematics of the subfamily are under heavy revision. Much of the early pioneering work of L. D. Miller^[3] has helped significantly by creating some sort of order. Dyndirus (Capronnier, 1874) is a satyrid incertae sedis. Other than this genus, according to the latest studies on the classification of Nymphalidae all satyrines have been assigned to one of the 6 tribes, at least preliminarily.^[4] For detailed lists, see the tribe pages.

Footnotes

References

• Miller, L.D. (1968): The higher classification, phylogeny and zoogeography of the Satyridae (Lepidoptera). Mem. Am. Entomol. Soc. 24: [vi] + iv + 1-174.
• Savela, Markku (2007): Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and some other life forms: Satyrinae. Version of 2007-MAY-12. Retrieved 2007-MAY-31.
• The Lepidoptera Taxome Project (TLTP) (2007): Taxonomy of butterflies: the scale of the problem. Retrieved 2007-SEP-07.

External links

• Satyrinae of the Western Palearctic
• Tree of Life: Satyrinae
• Pictorial guide on Neotropical Satyrinae
• Insect Life Forms - Satyridae