♂ (ds), Champasak, Laos. (photo by K.Saito)		♀ (ws), Sekong, Laos.
♂, Quang Ngai, Vietnam. (photo by K.Saito)		♀, Quang Ngai, Vietnam. (photo by K.Saito)
♂, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam. (photo by K.Saito)		♀ (ws), Houaphan, Laos. (photo by K.Saito)
♂ (ds), Chiang Mai, Thailand.		♀ (ds), Chiang Mai, Thailand.
♂ (ws), Chiang Mai, Thailand.		♀ (ws), Lampang, Thailand.
♂ (ds), Loei, Thailand.		♀ (ds), Phetchabun, Thailand.
♂ (ds), Nan, Thailand.		♀ (ds), Nan, Thailand.
♀ (ds), Chiang Mai, Thailand.		♀ (ds), Nan, Thailand.
♀ (ws), Vientinane, Laos. (photo by K.Saito)		♀ (ws), Chiang Mai, Thailand.

ON : Euthalia dirtea bontouxi Vitalis, 1924 OD : In: Dubois & Vitalis de Salvaza, Faune ent. Indo-Chine fr. 1924(3): 44. TL : TL: Nam-Tie, Laos. Distribution : S.Yunnan, N. & N-C.Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Guangxi. ● ssp.bontouxi ● ssp. (unclear) ● ssp.01 ● ssp.02 ● ssp.merguia

Lexias dirtea toonchaii Murayama & Kimura, 1990; The Nature and Insects 25(2): 19,20, figs.3(HT,♂), 4(HT,♂Un), 5(PT,♀), 6(PT,♀Un); TL: "Do Pha Hom Pok" [Doi Pha Hom Pok, Chiang Mai], N-Thailand.
Lexias dirtea opertus Tsukada, 1991; In: Tsukada, Butterflies of the South East Asian Islands 5: 384,547, pl.81, figs.2(PT,♀), 5(HT,♂); TL: Fang, [Chiang Mai], N.Thailand.
Lexias dirtea gratus Tsukada, 1991; In: Tsukada, Butterflies of the South East Asian Islands 5: 384,547, pl.81, figs.7(PT,♂Un), 10(HT,♂), 11(PT,♀Un), 12(PT,♀); TL: Fang, [Chiang Mai], N.Thailand.
Euthalia acutipenna Chou & Li, 1994; In: Chou, Monograph. Rhop. Sin. 2: 505, figs.♂,♂(Un),763; TL: Guangxi.
Lexias bandita Chou, Yuan, Yin, Zhang & Chen, 2002; Entomotaxonomia 24(1): 54, 58, figs.12a♀[nec.♂],12b♀[nec.♂]; TL: 'Quanzhou, Fujian' [wrong labelled]. Huang Bingwen (Entomological Museum, North west Sci-Tech University)

toonchaii :
Holotype ♂, 8.Apr.1989, "Do Pha Hom Pok" [Doi Pha Hom Pok], N.Thailand. (RIEB)
Paratypes : 2♀, 8.Apr.1989, "Do Pha Hom Pok" [Doi Pha Hom Pok], N.Thailand. (RIEB)
opertus :
Holotype ♂, 3.Feb.1989, Fang, N.Thailand. (in coll. E. Tsukada)
Paratype 1♀, 14.Sep.1989, "Chieng Rai" [Chiang Rai], N.Thailand.
gratus :
Holotype ♂, Mar.1989, Fang, N.Thailand. (in coll. E. Tsukada)
Paratypes 1♂ 2♀, Mar.1989, Fang, N.Thailand.
acutipenna : Holotype ♂, 13.Oct.1979, Longkuang, 200m, Guangxi.
bandita : Holotype ♀ [nec.♂], 'Quanzhou, Fujian' [wrong labelled]. Huang Bingwen. (Entomological Museum, North west Sci-Tech University)

[ THAILAND ]
'Lexias dirtea merguia: Pinratana & Eliot,1996 : 83. (Phisanulok) (partim)'
Lexias dirtea toonchai [sic]: Pinratana & Eliot,1996 : 83, pl.59, figs.158b♂,♀. (Chiang Rai; Chiang Mai)
Lexias dirtea toonchai [sic]: Ek-Amnuay,[2007] : 458, pl.202–203, figs.N167a♀,♀(Un),♂. (Chiang Mai)
Lexias dirtea toonchaii: Kimura et al.,2016 : 114, figs.♂(Doi Pha Hom Pok),♂(Un,Doi Pha Hom Pok),♀(Doi Pha Hom Pok),♀(Un,Doi Pha Hom Pok). (Doi Pha Hom Pok; Khun Lao Villege) (partim)
'Lexias dirtea toonchaii: Kimura et al.,2016 : 114, figs.♂(Thung Saleng Luang),♂(Un,Thung Saleng Luang),♂(Phu Khiewo),♂(Un,Phu Khiewo). (Thung Saleng Luang; Phu Khiewo) (partim)'
Lexias dirtea agosthena: Sophonviwatkul et al.,2024– : Butterflies of Thailand, figs. (Chiang Mai) (accessed: 2024.05.13)
Lexias dirtea bontouxi: Yokochi,2026 : 13, map.1. (N.Thailand)
Lexias dirtea agosthena: Inayoshi,2022–2024 : Butterflies in Indo-China, figs.8♂,9♀. (Chiang Rai; Chiang Mai; Lampang; Nan; Loei; Phetchabun) (31.May.2024 last update. 30.Sep.2026 changed.)

[ LAOS ]
Lexias dirtea merguia: Motono & Negishi,1989 : 61, pl.72, figs.5,♂,6,♂(Un). (Vang Vieng) (partim)
Lexias khasiana ssp.: Motono & Negishi,1989 : 61, col. pl.13,♀ ; pl.72, figs.1,♀,2,♀(Un). (Pakse)
Lexias dirtea bontouxi: Osada et al.,1999 : 208, pl.69, figs.♂,♂,♀. (Phong Saly; Thakhek; Lak Sao) (partim)
Lexias dirtea bontouxi: Nimura & Wakahara,2005 : 43. (Namdhua; Thakhek)
Lexias dirtea bontouxi: Nakamura & Wakahara,2012 : 46.
Lexias dirtea bontouxi: Onodera,2022 : 46, pl.136, figs.♂,♂(Un),♂,♂(Un),♀,♀(Un). (Khammouan: Lak Kao; Oudomxai; Bolikhamxai: Phon Si)
Lexias dirtea bontouxi: Yokochi,2026 : 13, map.1. (N.Laos)
Lexias dirtea merguia: Yokochi,2026 : 13, map.1. (C.Laos)
Lexias dirtea agosthena: Inayoshi,2022–2024 : Butterflies in Indo-China, figs.1♂,3♀. (Vientiane; Houaphan; Sekong; Champasak) (31.May.2024 last update. 30.Sep.2026 changed.)

[ VIETNAM ]
Lexias dirtea: Monastyrskii et al.,2006 : 42. (Thua Thien Hue: Nam Dong; Huong Thuy; Phong Dien)
Lexias dirtea agosthea: Miyazaki et al.,2006b : 32, figs.N-98,♂,♀. (Lam Dong: Dambr ; Dai Duc Me)
Lexias dirtea bontouxi: Monastyrskii & Devyatkin,2015 : 41. (N; C)
Lexias dirtea agosthena: Monastyrskii & Devyatkin,2015 : 41. (S)
Lexias dirtea agosthena: Monastyrskii,2019 : 4(2):148, pl.76, figs.a♂,b♂(Un),c♀,d♀(Un). (C: Vu Quang; Phong Nha Ke Bang; Phong Dien; Dakrong; Nam Dong; Huong Thuy; Son Thanh; Kon Cha Rang; Kon Ka Kinh; Yok Don; Bu Gia Map; Da Teh; Loc Bac; Bao Lam; Hon Ba; Cat Loc; S: Cat Tien; La Nga; Nghia Trung)
Lexias dirtea bontouxi: Monastyrskii,2019 : 4(2):148, pl.76, figs.e♂,f♂(Un). (N: Van Ban)
Lexias dirtea bontouxi: Yokochi,2026 : 13, map.1. (Vietnam)
Lexias dirtea agosthena: Inayoshi,2022–2024 : Butterflies in Indo-China, figs.1♂,1♀. (Quang Ngai; Khanh Hoa) (31.May.2024 last update. 30.Sep.2026 changed.)

[ THAILAND ]
Chiang Rai : 1♂.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Chiang Mai : 14♂ 13♀ (incl. photo).

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Lampang : 1♀

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Nan : 5♂ 5♀.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Loei : 4♂.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Phetchabun : 1♀.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

[ LAOS ]
Vientiane : 1♀.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Houaphan : 1♀.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sekong : 1♀.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Champasak : 1♂.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

[ VIETNAM ]
Quang Ngai : 1♂ 1♀.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Khanh Hoa : 1♂.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

The butterfly is locally common in forests at low to high elevations (250–1,800 m a.s.l.). Both sexes frequently comes to rotten fruits that have fallen to the ground. Males are occasionally observed mud-puddling along stream banks and at puddles.
The population characterized by large white subapical markings in spaces 4 to 6 on the female UpF is distributed from S. Yunnan, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam to Guangxi. This taxon has frequently been treated as ssp.agosthena, but Yokochi (2026) clarified that it belongs to Lexias pardalis and elevated bontouxi to subspecific status.
This subspecies is conspicuous for its seasonal and individual variation. Generally, males of the DSF have a broad, light-blue band on the UpH, and the ground colour of the underside is pale, whereas males of the WSF have a narrower, darker-blue band, and the ground colour of the underside is much darker.
In females, the subapical spots on the UpF tend to be smaller in the WSF. Individuals from higher elevations (1,200–1,800 m a.s.l.) also tend to have an extremely small or absent basal spot in space 3 on the UpF and broader postdiscal spots on the UpH. However, individual variation is considerable, and these characters do not show clear geographical differentiation.

Usually, Lexias pardalis and Lexias dirtea can be distinguished by the colouration of the antennal tips. L. dirtea has entirely black antennal tips, whereas in L. pardalis, yellow to orange colouration extends from the tip to approximately the fifth segment. However, in areas where the two species occur sympatrically, individuals with very dark, orangish-black antennal tips are frequently observed. The orangish colouration may be difficult to discern unless the specimen is viewed from a different angle. Consequently, these individuals cannot be reliably distinguished on the basis of antennal colouration alone. Further molecular analysis is required to determine whether these individuals represent intraspecific variation or interspecific hybridisation.

Fruhstorfer, H, 1914. Rhopaloceren von Cochinchina.
Entomologische Rundschau, 31(1): 1–3. (10.Jan.1914)

Vitalis de Salvaza, R, 1924. In: Dubois, E. & R. Vitalis de Salvaza, Lépidoptères indochinois (Suite).
Faune entomologique de l’Indochine Française, 3: 27–47.

Murayama, S. & Kimura, Y, 1990. Some new butterflies from Thailand.
The Nature and Insects, 25(2): 19–24.

Tsukada, E, 1991. In: Tsukada, E. (Ed.), Butterflies of the South East Asian Islands 5. Nymphalidae (II).
Azumino Butterflie's Research Institute, Nagano, 576 pp., (238 pls.). (in Japanese)

Chou, I. (Ed.), 1994. Monographia Rhopalocerorum Sinensium 1 & 2.
Henan Scientific and Technological Publishing House, Zhengzhou, 854 pp.

Chou, I, Yuan, X-Q, Yin, H-S, Zhang, C-S. & Chen, X-C, 2002. New Species, New Subspecies, and New Records of Butterflies from China (VI).
Entomotaxonomia, 24(1): 52–68.

Lang, S-Y, 2012. The Nymphalidae of China (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera) Part 1.
Libytheinae, Danainae, Calinaginae, Morphinae, Heliconiinae, Nymphalinae, Charaxinae, Apaturinae, Cyrestinae, Biblidinae, Limenitinae.
Tshikolovets Publications, Pardubice, 456 pp., 32 col. + 41 b&w pls.

Yokochi, T, 2026. Taxonomic reassessment of Lexias dirtea (Fabricius, 1793) and Lexias pardalis (Moore, 1878) (Nymphalidae: Adoliadini) based on type material and nomenclatural history.
AIRS Journal of Entomology, 1(1): 1–22.

♂, Chiang Mai, Thailand.	♀, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
♀, Chiang Mai, Thailand.	♀, Lampang, Thailand.
♀, Nan, Thailand.	♀, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
♀, Chiang Mai, Thailand.	♀ with Lexias pardalis ♀, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
♂, Nan, Thailand.	♀, Nan, Thailand.
♂, Chiang Mai, Thailand.	♂, Loei, Thailand.

2026.09.30.