Charaxes
| Charaxes | |
|---|---|
| C. solon at Mahim Nature Park, Mumbai | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Nymphalidae |
| Subfamily: | Charaxinae |
| Tribe: | Charaxini |
| Genus: | Charaxes Ochsenheimer, 1816 |
| Species | |
|
Many, see text | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The rajah and pasha butterflies, also known as emperors in Africa and Australia, (genus Charaxes) make up the type genus of the brush-footed butterfly subfamily Charaxinae, or leafwing butterflies. They belong to the tribe Charaxini, which also includes the nawab butterflies (Polyura, a subgenus of Charaxes). Charaxes are tropical Old World butterflies, with by far the highest diversity in sub-Saharan Africa, a smaller number from South Asia to Melanesia and Australia, and a single species (C. jasius) in Europe. They are generally strong flyers and are popular among butterfly collectors.