Butterflies of medium and large sizes, close to nymphalids and representatives of the tropical family Ithomiidae . Eyes are bare, club antennae are gradually thickening toward the apex, shorter than half of the costal margin of the fore wing. The front legs are reduced and do not function when walking in both sexes, and the front foot consists of 1 segment in males and 2 segments in females. The central cell on both wings is closed, veins R 3 , R 4 and R 5 of the anterior wing branch from the common trunk, R 4 extends to the apex, and R 3 and R 5 respectively to the costal and external edges [1] .
The color is dominated by brown, orange, yellow and blue tones, some species have a blue iridescent color. Mimicry is widespread. Many species are poisonous.
Androkonial structures are located on the hind wing, the end of the abdomen is equipped with characteristic brushes made of long odorous scales, protruding before copulation [1] .
The feed plant of caterpillars is the quail , cyanchum and other plants of the kutra family [2] .
Distribution is limited to tropical and subtropical zones, units of species are found outside these zones. Most species in the tropics of Asia and Africa , Ithomiini butterflies are common in the neotropical zone , Tellervini are common in Australia and the eastern region. There are 4 species in the Palearctic , 2 in the territory of the former USSR , and 1 species in the Caucasus ( Danaus chrysippus ) [1] . Also, one tropical migrant species , Parantica sita , whose natural range extends north to Korea and Japan, is found in the south of Primorsky Krai , [3] getting there with fair winds.
This subfamily contains about 300 species , approximately 57 genera , 10 subtribes, and three tribes .
- Danaini
- Itominy (Ithomiini)
- Dircennina
- Godyridina
- Ithomiina
- Mechanitina
- Melinaeina
- Napeogenina
- Oleriina
- Tithoreina
- Tellervini (Tellervini)
