FAMILY LIMACODIDAE
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Darna (Orthocraspeda) bornesordida sp. n.


Darna sordida (Java) 


Darna sordida(Java)


 
7mm. The only specimen is somewhat worn but is probably very similar in facies to sordida Snellen, both sexes of which from Java are illustrated above. The forewings are dark pinkish grey with darker dashes at the disc and submarginally on the costa.

The genitalia differ from those of sordida in having the valves less erect, the sacculus less angled. The costal process is directed along the costa, then flexed down, rather than initially down, then level, then up with a slender spine.

Holotype  BRUNEI: 3m, Seria, secondary and coastal veg. 22.10.79 (Lt. Col. M.G. Allen). BM limacodid slide 399.

Geographical range. Borneo.

Biology. The larva of sordida was described and illustrated by Piepers & Snellen (1900). The general shape is as in D. trima: behind the head the back rises gently in a slope to just about the middle of the body, then descends similarly to the rear. At the highest point there are two fleshy processes. The general colour varies: ochreous, reddish brown, dark brown or a mixture of these colours. The dorsum can be black except on the middle segment where it is whitish, or it can be grey with three longitudinal white lines. In paler specimens there are often longitudinal rows of black dots. Just above the venter there is a dirty white, or sometimes white or yellow line, and the flanks may also have white or yellow patches. Both sets of tubercles are present, spined but small, the posterior pair produced into longer spines. All spines are red, brown or yellowish white and they occur also on the dorsal pair of fleshy processes.

The larva leaves a viscous trail behind it.

Host-plants recorded are Erythrina, Pterocarpus (Leguminosae).

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