Nemeobiidae

judies, punches

The Nemeobiidae (Riodinide,Erycinidae) are fairly small butterflies having dark brown wings with spots /bands. Members of this family share many of the characteristics of Laycaenidae. It is one of the largest families with about 2,000 species distributed mostly in the Neotropical region , and India harbours only 21 speceies . They can be easily identified by the nature of forelegs ; brush -like and non -functional in males . Forewings are short and broad and hindwings are lobed at the tornus or toothed or with a short tail . These butterflies inhabit hilly wooded conutry especially in denser jungles and are not conspicuous . Judies always keep their wings partly closed while the Punches keep their wings closed over the back while settling . They are very week their covering only short distances and settling down immediately .

Larve are mostly green ,resembling those of Lycaenidae but with out honeygland and head not hidden. They feed mostly on grasses and bamboos.

Pupae resemble certain Lycaenidae .