What is Kallima?
{{Taxobox | name = ''Kallima'' | image = | image_width = | image_caption = | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Arthropod]]a | classis = [[Insect]]a | ordo = [[Lepidoptera]] | familia = [[Nymphalidae]] | subfamilia = [[Nymphalinae]] | genus = '''''Kallima''''' | genus_authority = Doubleday, 1849 }} [[File:Kallima inachus1.jpg|thumb|right|270px|''Kallima inachus'', the Indian leaf [[butterfly]] Shows the leaf-like appearance of the underside of the wing, visible when wings are closed. This is typical of the whole genus.]] [[File:Orange oak leaf.JPG|thumb|right|270px|The upper surfaces of the wings are quite striking. This is the wet-season morph]] [[File:Orange Oakleaf (Kallima inachus) at Samsing, Duars, West Bengal W IMG 6241.jpg|thumb|right|270px|This is the dry-season morph]] '''''Kallima''''', also known as the Oakleaf or Dead leaf butterfly, is a [[genus]] of [[butterflies]] of the family [[Nymphalidae]]. They are found in [[Asia]].<ref>''Kalima'' species [http://www.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/papilionoidea/nymphalidae/nymphalinae/kallima/index.html ''Kalima'']. funet.fi</ref> Their common name is a reference to the under surface of their wings, which is various shades of brown. When the wings are held closed, this results in a remarkable similarity to a dead [[leaf]]. There are dark dots or patches that look like the effects of [[fungi]] and [[lichen]], which are so common on dead leaves. The [[camouflage]] is perfected by the rear wings, which have a little 'tail', which looks like the stalk of a leaf. When at rest in closed position, the 'tail' touches the branch, completing the [[illusion]].<ref>[[Alfred Russel Wallace|Wallace A.R.]] 1867. The disguises of insects. Reprinted in Wallace A.R. ''Studies scientific and social''. vol 1, Macmillan, London. p191</ref> There are two [[Polymorphism|morphs]] of the common Indian species ''Kallima inachus''. Nothing seems to be known about why these morphs exist. There is also variation in the colour of the undersurfaces. ==Ref