Introduction

Nymphalini contains about 100 species, many of which are well-known by everybody, such as the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and the Tortoiseshells (Aglais). Species in temperate regions tend to hibernate as adults, and are thus among the first butterflies to be seen in Spring. The group has been the subject of intensive ecological and evolutionary studies, especially the genus Polygonia. Species of Nymphalini are found through out the world, even on remote oceanic islands such as Hawai'i.