Largest butterfly family

The largest taxonomic family of butterflies is Nymphalidae, the brush-footed butterflies, which currently contains approximately 6,000 species, and is of worldwide distribution. Many of the most familiar and beautiful butterfly species are nymphalids, including the monarchs, fritillaries, tortoiseshells, passion-flower butterflies, morphos, browns (satyrids) and admirals. Nymphalids are known as brush-footed butterflies because their small forelegs are very hairy, resembling brushes.