leaf butterfly

noun

1. any of various butterflies of the genus Kallima, of southern Asia, the East Indies, and Australia, having wings that resemble dead leaves.

Word History and Origins

Origin of leaf butterfly¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

This is true also of the leaf butterfly and of another which exactly resembles a bird's dropping.

From Project Gutenberg

The withered leaf butterfly, with spots and wrinkles, is exactly like the thing it imitates.

From Project Gutenberg

Most striking of all, however, is the large dead-leaf butterfly Kallima (fig. 163) of the East Indian region.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the dead-leaf butterfly's good to tell a foe a falsehood.

From Project Gutenberg

For example, many animals such as the quail, the rabbit, or the leaf-butterfly are protectively colored.

From Project Gutenberg