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 6300 species placed in
approximately 540 genera (current count given below), 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.
The static classification shown on these pages are based on three major sources
- Williams, M. C. 2018: Afrotropical Butterflies 17th Edition.
- Markku Savela: Lepidoptera and other lifeforms
- The Butterflies of America
Here you can find:
- The higher classification of Nymphalidae, to the tribe level, with links to species level
- The higher classification of Nymphalidae, to the genus level, with links to species level
- Currently accepted genera of Nymphalidae
- A summary list of all species in Nymphalidae
Current numbers of taxa (2023-04-23):
- Subfamily count: 12
- Tribe count: 50
- Genus count: 556
- Species count: 6410