[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":318},["ShallowReactive",2],{"families_en:\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fnimfalidy":3,"alt-locale:families_en:\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fnimfalidy":260,"section-listing:disabled":273,"related-covers:en:":274,"section-listing:families_en:\u002Fsemeystva":275},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"coverImage":245,"description":246,"extension":247,"faq":248,"imagePrompt":258,"latinName":5,"meta":259,"navigation":260,"order":261,"pageType":262,"path":263,"publishedAt":264,"readingMinutes":261,"relatedLinks":265,"seo":266,"sitemap":269,"stem":271,"taxonRank":262,"updatedAt":270,"__hash__":272},"families_en\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fnimfalidy.md","Nymphalidae",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":229},"minimark",[9,14,22,25,29,37,40,44,49,52,62,71,80,89,98,102,113,117,132,136,165,169,180,184,187,199,203],[10,11,13],"h2",{"id":12},"what-are-nymphalids","What are nymphalids",[15,16,17,18,21],"p",{},"Nymphalidae (",[19,20,5],"em",{},") are the most species-rich family of day-flying butterflies in the world: about 6,000 species on every continent except Antarctica. Russia has more than 150 nymphalid species, from the familiar small tortoiseshell to inconspicuous meadow satyrs.",[15,23,24],{},"The family is extremely diverse in appearance: from large, bright species with wingspans of 8–10 cm to small brown butterflies that blend with fallen leaves.",[10,26,28],{"id":27},"the-main-distinguishing-feature","The main distinguishing feature",[15,30,31,32,36],{},"A nymphalid is easy to recognize by its ",[33,34,35],"strong",{},"atrophied front legs",": in both sexes the first pair of legs is reduced and not used for walking. Butterflies stand on four legs and hold the front pair pressed against the body. For this reason the family is sometimes called “four-legged” or “brush-footed” butterflies (Brush-footed butterflies).",[15,38,39],{},"This trait is easy to see if you catch a butterfly: in nymphalids you will not see normally developed front tarsi.",[10,41,43],{"id":42},"main-nymphalid-groups-in-russia","Main nymphalid groups in Russia",[45,46,48],"h3",{"id":47},"true-nymphalines-nymphalinae","True nymphalines (Nymphalinae)",[15,50,51],{},"The most familiar part of the family. Bright coloration, often with angular wing margins.",[15,53,54,57,58,61],{},[33,55,56],{},"Small tortoiseshell"," (",[19,59,60],{},"Aglais urticae",") — orange with black spots and a blue border. The caterpillar lives on nettles. Overwinters as an adult and is one of the first spring butterflies. Found throughout Russia’s temperate zone.",[15,63,64,57,67,70],{},[33,65,66],{},"Peacock",[19,68,69],{},"Aglais io",") — maroon-red with four large bright “eyes.” When startled it suddenly opens its wings, displaying the eyespots and startling predators. The caterpillar also feeds on nettles.",[15,72,73,57,76,79],{},[33,74,75],{},"Red admiral",[19,77,78],{},"Vanessa atalanta",") — dark brown with a crimson band and white spots. A partly migratory species: arrives from the south in spring; some individuals overwinter in the middle latitudes.",[15,81,82,57,85,88],{},[33,83,84],{},"Painted lady",[19,86,87],{},"Vanessa cardui",") — orange-brown with a characteristic black-and-white pattern on the wing tips. The only butterfly found on every continent except Antarctica. Migrates annually, sometimes in huge numbers.",[15,90,91,57,94,97],{},[33,92,93],{},"Mourning cloak",[19,95,96],{},"Nymphalis antiopa",") — dark maroon, almost black, with a cream-yellow border and blue spots. Long-lived: lives 10–11 months, overwintering as an adult. One of the largest day-flying butterflies in Russia.",[45,99,101],{"id":100},"fritillaries-argynnini","Fritillaries (Argynnini)",[15,103,104,105,108,109,112],{},"Orange above with a black dotted pattern. The main trait is ",[33,106,107],{},"silvery spots"," on the underside of the hindwings, like mother-of-pearl. They fly mainly in forest clearings and meadows. About 20 species occur in Russia, including the silver-washed fritillary (",[19,110,111],{},"Argynnis paphia","), Niobe fritillary, and high brown fritillary, among others.",[45,114,116],{"id":115},"checkerspots-melitaeini","Checkerspots (Melitaeini)",[15,118,119,120,123,124,127,128,131],{},"Small butterflies with a characteristic ",[33,121,122],{},"checkerboard pattern"," of orange, yellow, and black cells. The underside of the hindwings is pale with an orange-white pattern. Identifying the exact species is difficult without examining the underside. Russia has several dozen species; common ones include the glanville fritillary (",[19,125,126],{},"Melitaea cinxia",") and heath fritillary (",[19,129,130],{},"Melitaea athalia",").",[45,133,135],{"id":134},"satyrs-satyrinae","Satyrs (Satyrinae)",[15,137,138,139,142,143,146,147,150,151,154,155,158,159,164],{},"The most numerous subgroup by species count. Coloration is mainly ",[33,140,141],{},"brown, ochre, or gray-brown"," — cryptic. A characteristic feature is ",[33,144,145],{},"eyespots"," (round spots with a dark center and light ring) on the wings. They live in meadows, forest edges, steppes, and mountain slopes. Among widespread species are the meadow brown (",[19,148,149],{},"Maniola jurtina","), ringlets (",[19,152,153],{},"Erebia"," spp.), and heaths (",[19,156,157],{},"Coenonympha"," spp.). More detail — in the ",[160,161,163],"a",{"href":162},"\u002Fen\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fbarkhatnitsy","satyrs"," section.",[10,166,168],{"id":167},"nymphalid-caterpillars","Nymphalid caterpillars",[15,170,171,172,175,176,179],{},"Caterpillars of most true nymphalines feed on ",[33,173,174],{},"nettles, thistles, willow, aspen",", or grasses. Many species have spiny caterpillars with branched outgrowths — such appearance deters birds. Satyr caterpillars live on ",[33,177,178],{},"grasses"," and often overwinter in a half-grown state.",[10,181,183],{"id":182},"where-they-occur","Where they occur",[15,185,186],{},"Nymphalids live almost everywhere: in gardens and parks, at forest edges, in meadows, on mountain slopes and steppes. Many species tolerate human presence well — the small tortoiseshell and peacock often overwinter in attics and barns.",[15,188,189,190,193,194,198],{},"The best places to observe them are ",[33,191,192],{},"flowering meadows"," with thistles, clover, and other nectar plants in June and July. Use the ",[160,195,197],{"href":196},"\u002Fen\u002Fopredelitel\u002Fpo-cvetu-krylev","wing color identifier"," for more precise species identification.",[10,200,202],{"id":201},"how-to-tell-them-from-other-families","How to tell them from other families",[204,205,206,215,222],"ul",{},[207,208,209,210,214],"li",{},"From ",[160,211,213],{"href":212},"\u002Fen\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fparusniki","swallowtails"," — most nymphalids lack “tails” on the wings and are smaller than the largest swallowtails.",[207,216,209,217,221],{},[160,218,220],{"href":219},"\u002Fen\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fbelyanki","whites"," — nymphalids are usually orange, brown, or patterned, but not white or yellow.",[207,223,209,224,228],{},[160,225,227],{"href":226},"\u002Fen\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fgolubyanki","blues"," — nymphalids are considerably larger.",{"title":230,"searchDepth":231,"depth":231,"links":232},"",2,[233,234,235,242,243,244],{"id":12,"depth":231,"text":13},{"id":27,"depth":231,"text":28},{"id":42,"depth":231,"text":43,"children":236},[237,239,240,241],{"id":47,"depth":238,"text":48},3,{"id":100,"depth":238,"text":101},{"id":115,"depth":238,"text":116},{"id":134,"depth":238,"text":135},{"id":167,"depth":231,"text":168},{"id":182,"depth":231,"text":183},{"id":201,"depth":231,"text":202},"\u002Fimages\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fnimfalidy.png","Nymphalidae — the largest family of day-flying butterflies: tortoiseshells, admirals, fritillaries, checkerspots, and satyrs.","md",[249,252,255],{"q":250,"a":251},"Which butterflies belong to the nymphalids?","Nymphalidae include the small tortoiseshell, peacock, red admiral, painted lady, mourning cloak, fritillaries, checkerspots, and satyrs. This is the largest family of day-flying butterflies — more than 6,000 species worldwide.",{"q":253,"a":254},"Why do nymphalids appear to have four legs?","In nymphalids the front pair of legs is greatly reduced and pressed against the thorax — they are not used for walking. Only four legs are well developed. Hence the alternative name for the family — brush-footed or four-legged butterflies.",{"q":256,"a":257},"Where do nymphalids overwinter?","It varies by species. The small tortoiseshell and peacock overwinter as adults in dark shelters (barns, attics, caves). The red admiral partly migrates south. Many fritillaries overwinter as caterpillars.","Photorealistic nature photo, Nymphalidae family showcase — Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta, Peacock Aglais io, Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae resting together on buddleia bush, late summer garden, warm golden backlight, 16:9",{},true,1,"family","\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fnimfalidy","01.05.2026",null,{"title":267,"description":268},"Nymphalidae — butterfly family: species and description","Nymphalidae — the largest family of day-flying butterflies. Small tortoiseshell, red admiral, peacock, fritillaries: species, traits, ranges, and habitats.",{"loc":263,"lastmod":270},"27.07.2026","semeystva\u002Fnimfalidy","DSYgip1Z832N9zYtlz86VOK_38ZVt7cLsg6hXfcGws4",[],[],[276,277,282,287,293,299,306,312],{"title":5,"description":246,"path":263,"coverImage":245,"publishedAt":264,"order":261},{"title":278,"description":279,"path":280,"coverImage":281,"publishedAt":264,"order":231},"Swallowtails","Swallowtails (Papilionidae) — a family of large, striking butterflies: swallowtail, scarce swallowtail, Apollo, and clouded Apollo.","\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fparusniki","\u002Fimages\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fparusniki.png",{"title":283,"description":284,"path":285,"coverImage":286,"publishedAt":264,"order":238},"Whites and sulphurs","Whites (Pieridae) — butterflies with white and yellow wings: large white, small white, brimstone, and black-veined white.","\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fbelyanki","\u002Fimages\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fbelyanki.png",{"title":288,"description":289,"path":290,"coverImage":291,"publishedAt":264,"order":292},"Blues","Blues (Lycaenidae) — small butterflies with blue, copper, or brown wings: one of the most species-rich families of day-flying butterflies.","\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fgolubyanki","\u002Fimages\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fgolubyanki.png",4,{"title":294,"description":295,"path":296,"coverImage":297,"publishedAt":264,"order":298},"Satyrs","Satyrs (Satyrinae) — a nymphalid subfamily with characteristic eyespots. More than 2,400 species worldwide, many in temperate regions. Specialized on grasses.","\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fbarkhatnitsy","\u002Fimages\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fbarkhatnitsy.png",5,{"title":300,"description":301,"path":302,"coverImage":303,"publishedAt":304,"order":305},"Tiger Moths","Tiger moths (Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae) — brightly coloured night-flying moths with chemical defences and furry caterpillars. One of the largest moth families.","\u002Fsemeystva\u002Ferebidae","\u002Fimages\u002Fsemeystva\u002Ferebidae.png","20.07.2026",6,{"title":307,"description":308,"path":309,"coverImage":310,"publishedAt":304,"order":311},"Skippers","Skippers (Hesperiidae) — stocky butterflies with a large head and a darting flight, morphologically intermediate between typical butterflies and moths.","\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fhesperiidae","\u002Fimages\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fhesperiidae.png",7,{"title":313,"description":314,"path":315,"coverImage":316,"publishedAt":304,"order":317},"Giant Silk Moths","Giant silk moths (Saturniidae) — the world's largest moths, marked by eyespots on the wings. Adults do not feed and live only a few days.","\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fsaturniidae","\u002Fimages\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fsaturniidae.png",8,1787125907504]