ON : Faunis excelsa laotica Nakamura, 2021 OD : Butterflies 85:4-7, figs.1(HT,♂,♂Un), 2(PT,♂,♂Un), 3(PT,♀,♀Un). TL : Nakai, Bolikhamxai, C.Laos. (♂, RIEB) Distribution : C.Laos. ● ssp.excelsa ● ssp.laotica

Holotype ♂, 25.May.1997. Nakai, Bolikhamxai, C.Laos. H.Wakahara (RIEB)
Paratypes 9♂ 1♀, same locality and date as holotype. (RIEB) ; 1♂, 24.Apr.2006. near Laksao, C.Laos. K.Maruyama (TME).

[ LAOS ]
Faunis aerope excelsa ; Osada, Uémura & Uehara,1999 : 212, pl.98, figs.♂,♀. (Lak Sao)
Faunis aerope excelsa ; Uémura,2005 : 4, fig.20,map.
Faunis aerope excelsa ; Uémura,2007 : 5, fig.31,map. (C: near border to Vietnam)
Faunis aerope excelsa ; Nakamura et al.,2010 : 279, figs.3,c♂,cv♂(Un),d♀,dv♀(Un). (C: Khammouane)
Faunis excelsa ; Nakamura & Wakahara,2012 : 49.

This taxon is described as a subspecies of excelsa. However, the genitalia is rather different, and it could be a distinct species.
The population in central Vietnam is most likely to be ssp.laotica based on its geographical distribution pattern. But I was unable to examine the specimens, I tentatively treat it as ssp.excelsa. Further taxonomic study is needed.

Nakamura, N., Wakahara, H. & Miyamoto, T.,2010 : Notes on the butterflies of Laos (V):
description of a new subspecies of Faunis aerope (Leech, 1890) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Morphinae) from a montane area of Central Laos
Tyô to Ga 60(4):277-284.

Nakamura, N.,2021 :
Notes on the butterflies of Laos (XII): New findings on Amathusiini (Morphinae: Nymphalidae) including description of a new subspecies of Faunis excelsa (Fruhstorfer, 1901)
Butterflies 85:4-14.

2021.05.31 - 2021.12.31.