GENUS MEMPHIS 

• Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

• Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

• Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

• Insects (Class Insecta)

• Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera)

• Butterflies (Superfamily Papilionoidea)

• Brush-footed Butterflies (Family Nymphalidae)

• Leafwing Butterflies (Subfamily Charaxinae)

• Tribe Anaeini

• Genus Memphis

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The genus Memphis is a large and diverse group of Neotropical butterflies within the family Nymphalidae. Species of Memphis occur from Mexico and Central America through much of South America. These butterflies are best known for their extraordinary leaf mimicry. When resting with their wings closed, the undersides closely resemble dead leaves, often displaying realistic leaf veins, mottled brown coloration, and even apparent damage spots or fungal markings. 

The upper wing surfaces are often dramatically different, displaying rich shades of blue, purple, orange, red, black, or iridescent metallic colours depending on the species. Adults  frequently visit fermenting fruit, tree sap, carrion, and animal droppings rather than flowers. Males often perch in sunlit gaps or along forest trails and defend territories against rivals.

MEMPHIS - LEAFWING BUTTERFLIES - SPECIES