taxonID	type	description	language	source
6D2B2D5F2F331516EB8AFB0AFF430EA1.taxon	materials_examined	1. BMNH (E) # 984404: Syntype, with six labels: (i) “ Sikkim 1881 ”, (ii) “ ♂ Godman-Salvin Coll. 95. — 99. Darjeeling, N. India. H. J. Elwes. ”, (iii) “ Debis (Tansima) masoni Elwes det. C. F. Huggins 1971 ♂ SYNTYPE ”, (iv) “ Chonala masoni Elw ”, (v) “ SYNTYPE ”, and (vi) “ BMNH (E) # 984404 ” (attached and databased by KK, 2012 / 09 / 27) (Fig. 1). 2. BMNH (E) # 984378: With three labels: (i) “ Sikkim Lachin Lachoong 8,000 a 16,0001 Ete 1895 Chasseurs Bretaudeau ”, (ii) “ Ex Oberthür Coll. Brit. Mus. 1927 — 3 ”, and (iii) “ BMNH (E) # 984378 ” (attached and databased by KK, 2012 / 09 / 27) (Fig. 1). 3. BMNH (E) # 984339: With three labels: (i) “ Sikkim Lachin Lachoong 8,000 a 16,0001 Ete 1895 Chasseurs Bretaudeau ”, (ii) “ Ex Oberthür Coll. Brit. Mus. 1927 — 3 ”, and (iii) “ BMNH (E) # 984339 ” (attached and databased by KK, 2012 / 09 / 27) (Fig. 1). 4. BMNH (E) # 984405: With four labels: (i) “ Sikkim Darjeeling ex coll. H. Fruhstorfer ”, (ii) “ Fruhstorfer Coll. B. M. 1937 - 285. ”, (iii) “ masoni Elwes ”, and (iv) “ BMNH (E) # 984405 ” (attached and databased by KK, 2012 / 09 / 27) (Fig. 4).	en	Kunte, Krushnamegh, Khan, Fahim, Pawar, Ujwala (2026): A new species of Chonala Moore, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from northeastern India. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 575-586, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10
6D2B2D5F2F331516EB8AFB0AFF430EA1.taxon	materials_examined	1. BMNH (E) # 984445: With three labels: (i) “ SIKKIM: Chumbi Valley. 10000 ft. vii. 1921 W. H. Evans. ”, (ii) “ Brit. Mus. 1935 - 7. ”, and (iii) “ BMNH (E) # 984445 ” (attached by KK, 2012 / 09 / 27) (Fig. 1). 2. BMNH (E) # 984362: With three labels: (i) “ Sikkim Lachin Lachoong 8,000 a 16,0001 Ete 1894 Chasseurs Bretaudeau ”, (ii) “ Ex Oberthür Coll. Brit. Mus. 1927 — 3 ”, and (iii) “ BMNH (E) # 984362 ” (attached by KK, 2012 / 09 / 27) (Fig. 1, 4).	en	Kunte, Krushnamegh, Khan, Fahim, Pawar, Ujwala (2026): A new species of Chonala Moore, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from northeastern India. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 575-586, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10
6D2B2D5F2F331516EB8AFB0AFF430EA1.taxon	description	Terminology for numerical venation system and genitalia follows Kunte et al. (2019). We use the following abbreviations: FW = forewing, HW = hindwing, IBC = Indian Biodiversity Collections, temporarily held for study at NCBS, MCZ = Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, NHMUK = Natural History Museum, London, UN = ventral side (or underside), UNF = ventral side of forewing, UNH = ventral side of hindwing, UP = dorsal side (or upper side), UPF = dorsal side of forewing, UPH = dorsal side of hindwing, v = vein, WLS: Wildlife Sanctuary. Dates are given in the YYYY / MM / DD format.	en	Kunte, Krushnamegh, Khan, Fahim, Pawar, Ujwala (2026): A new species of Chonala Moore, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from northeastern India. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 575-586, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10
6D2B2D5F2F30151DEB8AFA2CFB3109CC.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype (Fig. 2): Voucher code IBC-BZ 791. ♂. Mayodia Pass (sometimes spelled “ Mayudia ”), Lower Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, India (lat-long: 28.243 0 N, 95.922 2 E). Approx. 2,600 m asl. Collected by Krushnamegh Kunte, 2025 / 08 / 07. Preserved dry, pinned, with mid- and hind-legs preserved in 100 % molecular-grade ethanol. Deposited in IBRC.	en	Kunte, Krushnamegh, Khan, Fahim, Pawar, Ujwala (2026): A new species of Chonala Moore, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from northeastern India. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 575-586, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10
6D2B2D5F2F30151DEB8AFA2CFB3109CC.taxon	description	Description (Fig. 2) Forewing length: 26 mm. Length of antenna: 11 mm. Head and palps brown above, paler below; eyes dark greybrown (eyes turn dark brown upon preservation). Antennae chequered black and white on the shaft, and with pale ochreous tips. Proboscis dark brown or black. Thorax and abdomen brown above, paler below. Wings: Dorsal: Brown. Cilia white, chequered black on FW. Forewing a post-discal white band from approximately mid-costa to tornus, which is narrow (2 – 4 mm in width) and not smoothly curving, being bent at adjacent spots along veins 1 – 4. The white spot in interspace 4 in this band is the broadest; the inner edge of the spot in interspace 3 is pushed out by 2 - 3 mm with respect to spot in 4; the spot in 2 is oblique; the spot in 1 b the smallest, convex at the inner edge, and not reaching the terminal margin at the outer edge. Area outside of the white band is darker brown. A subapical small, clear white spot in interspace 7; a slightly larger white spot in interspace 6; a large, black, indistinct spot in interspace 5; and an indistinct, white spot in interspace 4; these four spots correspond to the white spots and the eyespot on the ventral side. Hindwing postdiscal eyespots from the ventral side showing through on the dorsal side. The wing margin of the upper half of interspace 5 and all of interspace 6 indistinctly and narrowly white, and dusted brown, thereby not prominently contrasting with the surrounding brown of UPH. Ventral: paler brown compared to the dorsal side. Forewing post-discal white band configured similarly to the dorsal side but 1 - 2 mm broader, prominently so in interspaces 1 b – 3, with the spot in 1 b occupying the entire area up to the terminal margin. A subapical small, clear white spot in interspace 7; a larger white spot in interspace 6; a larger black eyespot with a white centre in interspace 5; and an indistinct white spot in interspace 4, which lies on the lower side of the pale ochreous ring that surrounds the eyespot in interspace 5 and the white spot in interspace 6. A submarginal dark brown line from vein 2 to 9, with pale grey scaling on its either side, the scaling becoming prominent and broader towards the apex. A similar dark brown line, inner to the submarginal line, from vein 5 to 8. Hindwing dusted with pale grey scales, giving the wing a much paler appearance compared to the dorsal side. Obscure, irregular and / or broken darker brown lines in discal areas, those in the cell are particularly obscure and broken; but the darker brown lines in the post-discal areas in interspaces 1 c – 7 are prominent, most of them curved; the post-discal brown lines in 1 c and 2 are especially well-defined, convex, and conjoined to each other; line in interspace 3 disconnected, pushed out; line in interspace 4 and 5 prominent, straight, but joined with each other at an angle; lines in interspace 6 and 7 straight, disconnected with each other and with line in 5. Large post-discal eyespots in interspaces 1 c to 6, that in 1 c with two pupils, all having prominent, broad dirty yellow rings, which are marked on the outside by thin, darker brown rings. Marginal and submarginal pale grey bands, the submarginal being thinner, both edged dark brown on either side; these pale markings in interspaces 5 – 6 pale grey-white, almost the same colour as that in interspaces 1 b to 4. Paratypes, and intraspecific variation (Fig. 2 – 3)	en	Kunte, Krushnamegh, Khan, Fahim, Pawar, Ujwala (2026): A new species of Chonala Moore, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from northeastern India. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 575-586, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10
6D2B2D5F2F30151DEB8AFA2CFB3109CC.taxon	materials_examined	♂: voucher code IBC-BZ 790. Forewing length: 28 mm. Length of antenna: 12 mm. ♀: voucher code IBC-BZ 789. Forewing length: 29 mm. Length of antenna: 12 mm.	en	Kunte, Krushnamegh, Khan, Fahim, Pawar, Ujwala (2026): A new species of Chonala Moore, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from northeastern India. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 575-586, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10
6D2B2D5F2F30151DEB8AFA2CFB3109CC.taxon	description	Collection and preservation protocols, collection locality and other details same as the holotype. The male paratype (IBC-BZ 790) is very similar to the holotype, with no significant differences in morphology or markings. The female paratype (IBC-BZ 789) is also similar, except that the white band on its forewing, especially on the ventral side, is 1 – 2 mm broader compared to that in males. Apart from this minor sexual difference, all the specimens collected and other specimens seen in the field but not collected appeared to vary little from each other, presenting a largely uniform and distinctive phenotype at the type locality. Inter-population variation is unknown since no other populations of this species have been recorded. Genitalia: Male (IBC-BZ 790, Fig. 3 A – H): The overall structures of the male genitalia of C. albistricta sp. nov. are similar to that of its congeners, with a simple valve ending in a rounded expansion on the inside that is covered in small spikes (Bozano & Della Bruna 2006). The tip of the valve appears to differ in each species, a character that needs to be studied closely in the entire genus. In C. albistricta sp. nov., the flattened, rounded expansion on the inner side of the tip of valve has a sawtooth-like sharp anterior edge, which rises gently posteriorly, before the smooth posterior edge drops sharply (Fig. 3 A – D, H). In lateral view, the phallus is bent in the middle, rising gently upwards towards the tip, somewhat similar to that in other congeners. The remaining generic characters of the male genitalia may be seen in the genitalia dissection of C. albistricta sp. nov. (Fig. 3 A – H).	en	Kunte, Krushnamegh, Khan, Fahim, Pawar, Ujwala (2026): A new species of Chonala Moore, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from northeastern India. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 575-586, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10
6D2B2D5F2F30151DEB8AFA2CFB3109CC.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (Fig. 3 – 4) Although C. albistricta sp. nov. is at first glance similar to C. masoni, it has a phenotype that is distinctive on 12 consistently differentiated traits that readily distinguish it from C. masoni and all other Chonala. A combination of 12 sexually monomorphic characters readily differentiate C. albistricta sp. nov. from all other congeners (Fig. 4, in which numbered pointers correspond to the following numbered characters): (1) FW post-discal white band narrow, and bent in several places with highly irregular and uneven edges (band significantly broader, and more evenly curved in C. masoni; much narrower, broken or obsolete in C. episcopalis, C. praeusta, C. irene, C. laurae, and C. miyatai; distinctly yellowish to pale orange in C. houae, C. praeusta, C. yunnana and C. irene, and orange and very broad in C. huertasae). The configuration of the forewing band in C. praeusta burmana and C. yunnana is similar to that in C. albistricta sp. nov. but it is distinctly yellow in the former two species and white in C. albistricta sp. nov.; C. yunnana lacks distinct white spots in interspaces 7 and 6 UNF, and it has very well-marked dark reddish-brown lines on UNH; and C. praeusta burmana and C. yunnana have distictive rufous discs UNF, which are plain and pale brown in C. albistricta sp. nov. (2) FW the inner edge of the white spot in interspace 3, which is part of the post-discal white band, prominently pushed out compared to the spot in interspace 4 (the inner edge of the spot not prominently pushed out in C. masoni, being nearly in line with the spot in interspace 4). (3) FW the white spot in interspace 2 placed obliquely with its lower end pointing outwardly (the spot is in continuation of the rest of the band in C. masoni). (4) UPF the white spot in interspace 1 b significantly smaller than other spots, somewhat concave at the inner edge especially in males (the spot not significantly smaller, and its inner edge with a conical projection in C. masoni). (5) UPH the wing margin of the upper half of interspace 5 and all of interspace 6 indistinctly white, and dusted brown, thereby not prominently contrasting with the surrounding brown of UPH (the corresponding marginal areas clear, bright white and broader, prominently contrasting with the surrounding brown of UPH in C. masoni). (6) UNF the subapical white spot in interspace 7 clear, bright white (the white spot obscured by the dull grey-white dusting surrounding it in C. masoni). (7) UNF a small white spot on the lower edge of the eyespot in interspace 4, which is also evident on UPF (no corresponding small white spot in C. masoni). (8) UNH marginal and submarginal pale markings in interspaces 5 – 6 pale grey-white, the same colour as that of the pale markings in interspaces 1 b to 4 (these markings almost clear, bright white, contrasting prominently against the pale markings in interspaces 1 b to 4 in C. masoni). (9) UNH marginal and submarginal pale markings in interspaces 1 b to 4 pale grey-white, standing out much more against the surrounding brown areas of the wing (these markings darker grey, standing out much less against the surrounding brown areas of the wing in C. masoni). (10) UNH dark-brown markings in the cell not well defined, obsolete (clearly marked and zigzag in C. masoni). (11) UNH post-discal dark-brown markings in interspace 1 c – 2 clearly marked, convex and smoothly curved, conjoined, making a wavy pattern (markings irregular, not prominently and smoothly curved, in C. masoni). As a result of the dark-brown line in interspace 1 c being convex, the space between the line and the eyespot in 1 c is small (spacing between the line and the eyespot is greater in C. masoni). (12) UNH post-discal dark-brown line in interspace 1 b directed outwards, wrapping around the eyespot next to it (this line not directed outwards in C. masoni). Chonala albistricta sp. nov. further differs on UNF in having brown wing discs, which are bright rufous in all the other species except that in C. masoni, C. laurae and C. miyatai. In C. albistricta sp. nov., wings appear to be paler compared to that in C. masoni (Fig. 1, 2, 4, 6). It is currently unknown whether these differences in wing colouration are constant across individuals and elevations. It is possible that the dark colouration in C. masoni is a thermoregulatory adaptation to colder climates at higher elevations, and that this character may be variable across elevations, depending on the thermoregulatory needs (Gautam & Kunte 2020). These differences in wing colouration need to be studied in this context and confirmed whether these are true diagnostic differences between the two species or environment-induced variations. The male genitalia of C. albistricta sp. nov. may be distinguished from that of all other Chonala from the outline of the flattened, rounded expansion on the inner side of the tip of valve (Fig. 3 H – I). This can be seen clearly at an angle or from the dorsal or ventral view of the genital capsule (Fig. 3 A and 3 B). The male genitalia of C. albistricta sp. nov. are quite distinct with respect to C. masoni in the expansion of the tip of valve rising gently posteriorly, before the smooth posterior edge drops sharply but curving smoothly afterwards (Fig. 3 H). In C. masoni, the expansion of the tip of valve rises sharply, almost vertically, on both sides (Fig. 3 I). Moreover, the portion of the valve just before the expansion (the ‘ neck’) is quite narrow in C. albistricta sp. nov. whereas it is almost uniformly broad in C. masoni (Fig. 3 I). In all the other congeners, the expansion of the tip of valve is shaped very differently (Fig. 3 I). Thus, C. albistricta sp. nov. has very distinctive valve-tip expansion that is unlike that in any other known congener.	en	Kunte, Krushnamegh, Khan, Fahim, Pawar, Ujwala (2026): A new species of Chonala Moore, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from northeastern India. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 575-586, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10
6D2B2D5F2F30151DEB8AFA2CFB3109CC.taxon	etymology	Etymology Scientific name: We name C. albistricta sp. nov. based on the narrow, bent white band on the forewing (albi = white, stricta = restricted or narrow), which easily distinguishes it from the morphologically similar C. masoni and most other congeners.	en	Kunte, Krushnamegh, Khan, Fahim, Pawar, Ujwala (2026): A new species of Chonala Moore, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from northeastern India. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 575-586, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10
6D2B2D5F2F30151DEB8AFA2CFB3109CC.taxon	vernacular_names	English name: We propose the English name, ‘ Narrow-banded Wall’, for C. albistricta sp. nov. based on the narrow, bent white band on the forewing, on which the scientific name is also based.	en	Kunte, Krushnamegh, Khan, Fahim, Pawar, Ujwala (2026): A new species of Chonala Moore, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from northeastern India. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 575-586, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10
6D2B2D5F2F30151DEB8AFA2CFB3109CC.taxon	biology_ecology	Historical Records: There do not appear to be any published historical records of this species. There are no specimens in the NHMUK, McGuire Centre for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, or MCZ (KK, personal inspection). Species Biology and other Notes	en	Kunte, Krushnamegh, Khan, Fahim, Pawar, Ujwala (2026): A new species of Chonala Moore, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from northeastern India. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 575-586, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10
6D2B2D5F2F30151DEB8AFA2CFB3109CC.taxon	distribution	Distribution: Chonala albistricta sp. nov. has been recorded so far only from the Mayodia pass in Dibang Valley. It is likely to occur in the nearby Anini area in Dibang Valley as well as the neighbouring Siang Valley, and perhaps in valleys further east and north in S. Tibet.	en	Kunte, Krushnamegh, Khan, Fahim, Pawar, Ujwala (2026): A new species of Chonala Moore, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from northeastern India. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 575-586, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10
6D2B2D5F2F30151DEB8AFA2CFB3109CC.taxon	biology_ecology	Status, habitat, and habits: Chonala albistricta sp. nov. appeared to be locally common on open, sparsely rocky slopes around the Mayodia pass, Dibang Valley. It was also commonly seen flying around the road, where it frequently settled on rocks, and basked with wings spread wide (Fig. 6). The habitats and elevations at which Chonala albistricta sp. nov. and C. masoni occur differ significantly (Fig. 7): C. albistricta sp. nov. inhabits open rocky areas within subtropical evergreen forests that are dominated by broadleaf tree species and very few conifers, in mid-elevation mountainous areas (approx. 2,200 – 2,800 m asl, so far as known). On the other hand, C. masoni inhabits open boulder-covered, dry streambeds, riversides, alpine meadows and other large openings in stunted coniferous forests and shrublands nestled in large, sometimes avalanche-swept and much colder valleys at higher elevations (2,600 – 4,000 m asl, so far as known). These contrasting habitats and climatic envelopes potentially have an impact on the thermal tolerance and potential for impacts of and adaptation to climate change of these two species. Flight period: Chonala albistricta sp. nov. has been recorded so far only from mid-July to mid-August, so it appears to be univoltine. Other Chonala have also been recorded only between mid-June and mid-August, all of them being univoltine. Larval host plants and early stages: Not known.	en	Kunte, Krushnamegh, Khan, Fahim, Pawar, Ujwala (2026): A new species of Chonala Moore, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from northeastern India. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 575-586, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10
6D2B2D5F2F30151DEB8AFA2CFB3109CC.taxon	discussion	Sympatric Chonala and other species: No other Chonala co-occur with C. albistricta sp. nov. in its currently known range. The nearest populations of Chonala are in Sikkim and parts of S Tibet (C. masoni) and in NE Myanmar and adjoining areas of S China (C. huertasae and C. praeusta). Other Chonala species occur further east and northeast (Fig. 5). Chonala albistricta sp. nov. co-occurs with Callerebia dibangensis Roy, 2013, Lethe atkinsonia (Hewitson, 1876), L. jalaurida (de Nicéville, [1881]), L. maitrya de Nicéville, [1881], L. moelleri (Elwes, 1887), L. ramadeva (de Nicéville, 1887), and several Halpe species, in its flight period. On the other hand, C. masoni co-occurs with a much smaller and an entirely different set of species owing to its high-elevation habitat: Papilio machaon Linnaeus, 1758, Colias fieldii Ménétriés, 1855, and Polyommatus - group species. Further information will be made available on the species page of the Butterflies of India website (https: // www. ifoundbutterflies. org / Chonala) (Kunte et al. 2026) as additional observations accumulate.	en	Kunte, Krushnamegh, Khan, Fahim, Pawar, Ujwala (2026): A new species of Chonala Moore, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from northeastern India. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 575-586, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.10
