KEY FOR THE SEPARATION OF THE FAMILIES OF BUTTERFLIES

1 (18) Antennae approximate at the base. Forewings with two or more veins coincident or
forked beyond the cell. Hind tibiae with only a terminal pair of spurs.

2 (17) Hindwing precostal vein present (but absent or rudimentary in the Pierid subfamily
Coliadinae). Forwings with all veins present (except in genera of Pieridae other
than Valeria and in the Amathusiid genus Enispe.

3 (6) Fore tarsi perfect in both sexes.

4 (5) Tarsal claws simple, that is, two on each tarsus (except in Graphium payeni and
Lamproptera curius in which each tarsal claw has a tooth on its inner edge).
Fore tibia with a large medial spine. Forewing with four veins arising from the
lower margin of the cell; vein 1a present and running to the dorsum and a short
basal transverse vein between vein 1b and the lower margin of the cell.
Hindwing vein 1b absent (weakly present in Trogonoptera, Troides and in some
species of Atrophaneura). Forewing with all vein present. Papilionidae

5 Tarsal claws bifid, that is, four on each tarsus. Fore tibia without a spine. Forewing
with three veins arising from the lower margin of the cell; vein 1a present and
vein 1b not forked at the base. Hindwing veins 1a and 1b present. Forewing vein
8 absent (except in Valeria). Pieridae

6 Fore tarsi imperfect and brush-like in one or both sexes.

7 (14)