Leptini

Leptini is a subtribe of butterflies belonging to the tribe Danaini, within the subfamily Danainae of the family Nymphalidae. This group encompasses a small number of genera and species, primarily found in Southeast Asia and the surrounding regions. Leptini are characterized by their relatively smaller size compared to other Danainae butterflies, and by specific wing patterns and structural characteristics that distinguish them within the tribe.

Generally, Leptini species exhibit a combination of brown, black, and white markings on their wings. These patterns often serve as camouflage or as aposematic signals, warning potential predators of the butterflies' toxicity, which they acquire through larval feeding on specific host plants.

The host plants used by Leptini larvae are typically members of the Apocynaceae family, a characteristic shared with other Danainae butterflies. These plants contain cardiac glycosides, which the larvae sequester and retain into adulthood, rendering the butterflies unpalatable to many predators.

The taxonomic classification of Leptini, like other butterfly groups, has been subject to revisions based on morphological and molecular data. Ongoing research continues to refine our understanding of the relationships within this subtribe and its placement within the broader Danainae.

Key characteristics used in differentiating Leptini from other Danainae include details of wing venation, the shape and structure of the genitalia, and larval morphology. Further details about individual genera and species within Leptini can be found in taxonomic literature focused on Southeast Asian butterflies.