About Polyura jalysus (Felder, 1866)
Polyura jalysus, originally published as E. jalysus by Felder in 1866, inhabits the Macro-Malayan region with the exception of Java, and ranges north as far as Tenasserim and Tonkin. Three distinct geographical subspecies are recognized. The first, triphonius subsp. nov. (figure 134 b), differs from the originally described Malayan peninsula race by its larger body size, and the broader yellow and reddish-brown distal margin on the upper surface of its hindwings. The apical spot on its forewings is larger than that found on specimens from Sumatra, and the brown coloration of its underside is darker than that of nominotypical P. j. jalysus and P. jalysus specimens from Tonkin. This subspecies occurs in North Borneo, where it is rare. Nominotypical P. j. jalysus Fldr. (figure 137 a), described from a male Sumatra specimen, is smaller in overall habitus than triphonius, and also has a smaller preapical spot than North Bornean triphonius specimens. This nominotypical race is found in Perak and northeastern Sumatra. The third subspecies, ephebus subsp. nov., has a whitish-green forewing cell instead of a black one. On the upper surface of its hindwings, the dark terminal margin is sometimes completely absent, and is always interrupted across all examined specimens. The reddish-brown submarginal band on the underside of its hindwings is also more heavily effaced than in other subspecies. The type specimen of ephebus is held at the British Museum and originates from Birma. Similar specimens are also held in the Tring Museum. The author personally discovered this subspecies as new to the Tonkin fauna near Chiem-Hoa in August.
