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Welcome to Daves Moth and Butterfly World -
Superfamily: Riodinidae

Welcome to Dave McCormick's Moth and Butterfly World. Here is information on the Superfamily, Riodinidae and its subfamilies.

Go Back to A-Z Family index and Photos

Information

The Riodinidae (or metalmarks) are a family of butterflies. The common name "metalmarks" refers to the small metallic-looking spots commonly found on their wings. There are approximately 1,000 species of metalmark butterflies in the world. Although mostly neotropical in distribution, the family is represented both in the New World and the Old World. Most species perch on the undersides of leaves with the wings held open and completely flat.

Riodinidae is currently treated as a distinct family within the superfamily Papilionoidea, but in the past they were held to be the subfamily Riodininae of the Lycaenidae. Earlier, they were considered to be part of the now defunct family Erycinidae, whose species are divided between this family and the subfamily Libytheinae. Another older name for the Riodinidae is Nemeobiidae.

The only species in this family to occur in the UK and Europe is the Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina)

Subfamilies in this Superfamily

Euselasiinae, Riodininae

List of Species We Have Photos and Information On

Metalmark Butterflies
Image/Page Link Common Name Scientific Name
     
     
     
     

 

Other Butterflies
Image/Page Link Common Name Scientific Name
     
     
     
     

Page last edited: 24/09/2008 14:54

(c) David McCormick 2008