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Odontodes
seranensis Prout stat. n.
Odontodes aleuca seranensis Prout,
1922, Bull. Hill Mus., Witley 1: 205.
Odontodes aleuca subfusca Prout,
1928, Bull. Hill Mus., Witley 2: 164, syn. n.
Odontodes aleuca subfusca Prout;
Holloway, 1976: 17, fig. 120; Barlow, 1982: 91.
Odontodes
seranensis  |
Odontodes
seranensis |
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Diagnosis. The species lacks the darker border and medial bar to the forewing
seen in pallidifimbria, and is grey-brown rather than greenish brown. The
underside is relatively uniform brown rather than pale with a darker border as
in aleuca Guenée (Indian subregion to Peninsular Malaysia and
Sumatra). It is a variable species, most specimens having uniformly brown
forewings that can be marked with a semicircular dark antemedial fascia (as
illustrated) or with a pale discal spot. Other specimens are darker brown with a
pale border and tornus.
Taxonomic notes. The underside difference above, the marked asymmetry of the male
genitalia (illustrated by Holloway (1976)), and sympatry in South East Asia
indicate that seranensis is a species distinct from aleuca. The
male genitalia of aleuca have apically entire, tapering, symmetrical
valves with a subbasal dorsal process; the juxta is narrow, twice as long as the
triangular juxta of seranensis.
Geographical range: Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo,
Philippines, Ceram, Buru.
Habitat preference. In the Mulu survey the species was found commonly in
all habitats from the lowlands to upper montane forest except for wet heath (kerangas)
forest. On G. Kinabalu it was common from 1000-2000m. It was also taken at all
altitudes in Brunei except in dry heath forest at Telisai.
Biology. The larva of O. aleuca was described by Gardner (1948a),
with details of setation. The larva is 30mm long at maturity, green with white
spots above. The crochets of the prolegs are heteroideous, but only four or five
at the extremities are vestigial.
The host-plant in India is Shorea robusta (Dipterocarpaceae).
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