Acraeinae

/ˌækraɪˈiːneɪ/ noun

Definition

A subfamily of butterflies in scientific taxonomy, containing small to medium-sized species, many with warning colors.

Etymology

From the genus Acraea plus the Latin taxonomic suffix -inae for subfamilies. The genus name Acraea comes from Greek akron (peak, tip), referencing the butterfly's pointed wing tips.

Kelly Says

Acraeinae butterflies are a perfect example of mimicry in nature—unrelated species copy their warning colors to share the burden of teaching predators that they taste bad, a survival strategy called Müllerian mimicry.

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