Doleschallia


Doleschallia is a genus of butterflies of the subfamily Nymphalinae in the family Nymphalidae. With their wings closed Doleschallia resemble dead leaves. Another Indo-Australian genus Kallima, and the African genera Kamilla, Mallika and Kallimoides are collectively known as dead leaf butterflies. They have a pronounced wing apex, and the hindwing tornus is extended and forms a short tail. This shape, together with the dead-leaf colouration, complete with a "midrib", and markings which resemble patches of mould and leaf galls gives the butterfly a remarkable resemblance to an attached or fallen dead leaf.