Nymphalidae classification
The classification of Nymphalidae has been very unstable until recently, mainly due to the poor state of knowledge of the phylogenetic relationships of taxa in the group. However, since the classification by Harvey in 1991, the classification of the family has stabilised. These pages show the latest higher classification of Nymphalidae, which is based on phylogenetic information. There are links to species-level classifications from the higher level classification, but these are not necessarily up-to-date. There are about 6000 species placed in 542 genera at the moment, but the total number of names associated with taxa belonging to Nymphalidae is probably around 20,000. Keeping track of what name belongs to which taxon is a time consuming job and would be better taken care of using information technology and databases. Such a database is not available for Nymphalidae yet, but is being worked on.
The static classification shown on these pages were built by Niklas Wahlberg, who based the initial list on the Lepidoptera and other lifeforms webpages by Markku Savela. The initial list has been updated based on recent revisions of some genera (listed on each relevant page).
Here you can find:
- The higher classification of Nymphalidae, with links to species level classifications.
- Currently accepted genera of Nymphalidae