Identification:
Adult body length: 45-45mm (male), wingspan: 122-127mm (male). Dorsal view: Black body, with two red spots on the head (completely red in newly emerged individuals, later becoming white and translucent). Compound eyes with two small, pale yellow spots on the top. The mesothorax (middle section of the thorax) has two pale yellow spots near the elevated nodules, forming an X-shape. The margin of the cheek (genae) is brick red.
Ventral view: Black body with brick-red longitudinal stripes along the abdomen. Forewings are black with pale blue to milky-white cells. Hindwings are pale blue to milky-white at the base. Legs are black with brick-red femur nodules.
Biology and Ecology:
Larvae live underground and feed on the humus layer and forest litter in their habitats. In the South of Vietnam, larvae of this species molt at the beginning of the rainy season each year (e.g., Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh).
Distribution:
A rare and uncommon species, found from northern Vietnam down to Dong Nai province. Reported in the provinces of Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Ninh Binh, Ha Tinh, Thua Thien Hue, and Dong Nai. This species inhabits low altitudes up to 1000m, including Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh.