Hypolimnas

Taxobox
name = Eggflies or diadems


image_width = 200px
image_caption = Great Eggfly
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Lepidoptera
subordo = Ditrysia
infraordo = Rhopalocera
superfamilia = Papilionoidea
familia = Nymphalidae
subfamilia = Nymphalinae
tribus = Kallimini
genus = "Hypolimnas"
genus_authority = Hübner, 1819
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "Hypolimnas alimena"
"Hypolimnas anomala"
"Hypolimnas antevorta"
"Hypolimnas anthedon"
"Hypolimnas antilope"
"Hypolimnas bartteloti"
"Hypolimnas bolina"
"Hypolimnas chapmani"
"Hypolimnas deceptor"
"Hypolimnas deois"
"Hypolimnas dexithea"
"Hypolimnas dinarcha"
"Hypolimnas diomea"
"Hypolimnas fraterna"
"Hypolimnas mechowi"
"Hypolimnas misippus"
"Hypolimnas monteironis"
"Hypolimnas octocula"
"Hypolimnas pandarus"
"Hypolimnas pithoeka"
"Hypolimnas salmacis"
"Hypolimnas saundersii"
"Hypolimnas usambara"

"Hypolimnas" is a genus of tropical brush-footed butterflies commonly known as eggflies or diadems. The genus contains approximately 23 species, most of which are found in Africa, Asia, and Oceania. One species, the Danaid Eggfly ("H. misippus"), is noted for its exceptionally wide distribution across five continents; it is the only "Hypolimnas" species found in the Americas.

Eggflies are known for their marked sexual dimorphism and Batesian mimicry of poisonous milkweed butterflies (Danainae). For example, the Danaid Eggfly mimics "Danaus chrysippus" while the Great Eggfly ("H. bolina") mimics the Australian Crow ("Euploea core"). In each case, the eggfly mimics the danainid's markings, thus adopting the latter's distasteful reputation to predators without being poisonous itself.

References

*Lewis, H. L. (1974). "Butterflies of the World". ISBN 0-245-52097-X
*Miller, L. D., and Miller, J. Y. (2004). "The Butterfly Handbook", pp. 134–135. Barron's Educational Series, Inc.; Hauppauge, New York. ISBN 0-7641-5714-0
*Wynter-Blyth, M. A. (1957). "Butterflies of the Indian Region". (1982 Reprint)