Doleschallia is a genus of butterflies of the subfamilyNymphalinae 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.
Doleschallia andamanica
They are medium to large (wingspan 60 – 120 mm) 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. The upper side, on the other hand, is often quite colourful, with black, orange and metallic blue as the dominant colours. There is often a marked difference between the sexes in the colour of the upper side. Some species also have somewhat different dry season and rainy season forms. The larvae are spiny and often quite colourful.
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