In biological classification , a subfamily ( Latin : subfamilia , plural subfamiliae ) is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank , next below family but more inclusive than genus . Standard nomenclature rules end botanical subfamily names with "-oideae", and zoological subfamily names with "-inae".
5-542: But see text Danainae is a subfamily of the family Nymphalidae , the brush-footed butterflies. It includes the Daniadae, or milkweed butterflies, who lay their eggs on various milkweeds on which their larvae ( caterpillars ) feed, as well as the clearwing butterflies ( Ithomiini ), and the tellervini . Some 300 species of Danainae exist worldwide. Most of the Danaini are found in tropical Asia and Africa, while
10-652: The Ithomiini are diverse in the Neotropics. Tellervini are restricted to Australia and the Oriental region. Four species are found in North America: the monarch butterfly ( Danaus plexippus ), the queen ( Danaus gilippus ), the tropical milkweed butterfly ( Lycorea cleobaea ), and the soldier butterfly (or "tropic queen", Danaus eresimus ). Of these, the monarch is by far the most famous, being one of
15-400: The migratory monarch butterfly. Loss of native plants, such as milkweed species, contributes to the declined population of the migratory monarch butterfly. Subfamily Detarioideae is an example of a botanical subfamily. Detarioideae is a subdivision of the family Fabaceae (legumes), containing 84 genera. Stevardiinae is an example of a zoological subfamily. Stevardiinae is
20-517: The family Apocynaceae that often contain latex-like compounds in the stem as hosts. Adults are aposematic (brightly colored as a warning signal). Numerous wasps and tachinid flies are parasitoids of milkweed butterfly caterpillars. The extensive modification of landscapes in the United States and Canada , large-scale use of pesticides, and increased deforestation in Mexico threaten
25-622: The most recognizable butterflies in the Americas. Milkweed butterflies are now classified as the subfamily Danainae within the family Nymphalidae; however, the previous family name Danaidae is still occasionally used. The fossil milkweed butterfly Archaeolycorea is known from the Oligocene or Miocene Tremembé Formation of Brazil . It provides evidence that the present milkweed butterflies originated more than 20–30 million years ago. Larvae have thoracic tubercles and use plants within
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