Within the genus Howarthia, Howarthia melli (Forster) is the most frequently reported species across the southern provinces of China. An examination of the type series of H. melli, in combination with results of rearing experiments, reveals that three species have been frequently confused under the name H. melli. The three are superficially similar but not closely related to each other within the genus. H. melli is much more restricted in distribution than previously thought, with most literature records referring to the other two species, Howarthia cheni Chou & Wang and an undescribed species, Howarthia cyanea sp. n., described herein. We provide a discussion of the relationships of these species and a review of Rhododendron-association in Lycaenidae.