Dirini comprises a group of 29 butterfly species within the subfamily Satyrinae (Nymphalidae), all endemic to Southern Africa, particularly South Africa and Lesotho. Within this tribe, the genera Dira, Torynesis, and Paralethe are  autumn butterflies, while Dingana and Tarsocera are observed during spring. The Table Mountain Beauty, Aeropetes tulbaghia, predominantly occurs in midsummer and is notable for being the only Dirini species found outside South Africa, with its range extending into eastern Zimbabwe.

The genus Dira (Autumn Widows) inhabits the southern and eastern mountain ranges of South Africa. The Western Cape Autumn Widow, Dira clytus clytus, is distributed from Cape Town in the Western Cape to Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape. In the east, the Eastern Cape Autumn Widow, Dira clytus eurina, can be found as far east as the Great Kei River. The Pondoland Autumn Widow, Dira oxylus, is present from Komani and Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape to Kokstad in southern KwaZulu-Natal. Of particular interest, the nearest related species occur approximately 850 km north in the Soutpansberg: the Northern Autumn Widow, Dira swanepoeli swanepoeli, and its close relative, Dira swanepoeli isolata, in the nearby Blouberg.

The Argus Autumn Widow, Dira jansei, inhabits an area roughly 120 km south of the Soutpansberg, within the dry, cool, elevated rain shadow of the Wolkberg. This species can be distinguished from other Dira members by its multiple eyespots, yet its hindwing underside reveals its close phylogenetic relationship with the group.

These closely related species, or their common ancestor, were likely more broadly distributed across southern Africa prior to geological uplift and subsequent aridification at the end of the Miocene epoch approximately five million years ago. Their larvae exhibit adaptations (like a very long larval stage) allowing them to feed on tough, mountain-dwelling grasses such as Tenaxia Wire-grass. Populations are consistently located around patches of these grasses, often occurring in substantial numbers. A Tenaxia-covered hillside with hundreds of dark brown butterflies floating across it is one of the great sights of South African butterflying.