Overview
The family includes 4 subfamilies Pseudopontiinae, Dismorphiinae, Pierinae and Coliadinae, of which the last 2 occur in Australia.
Description
Medium-sized; maxillary palps absent; labial palps ascending, appressed to frons; epiphysis absent, fore leg fully developed, tibiae spined, spurs 0-2-2, tarsal claws bifid; fore wing usually lacking at least 1 branch of R, 1 anal vein; hind wing with humeral vein present, vestigial, or absent, Sc + R
1
diverging from Rs at base, 2 anal veins, wing scales containing pterine-type pigments. Egg vertically fusiform, with vertical and horizontal ribs; laid singly or in groups. Larva cylindrical, with numerous short, fine, secondary setae crochets bi- or triordinal; sometimes gregarious. Pupa angular, often with spines or ridges; attached by cremaster and central silken girdle.