|
Praesetora
albitermina Hering stat. n.
Praesetora divergens albitermina Hering,
1931: 711.
Praesetora divergens Moore;
sensu Holloway, 1976: 91 and Barlow 1982: 40.
Diagnosis. This species is redder than its Bornean congener with the fasciae
meeting on the costa rather than being only slightly convergent. The marginal
zone, particularly adjacent to the submarginal, is paler than the rest of the
forewing.
Taxonomic notes. The male genitalia indicate this is a species distinct from divergens and
indeed a subspecies or sister species of albitermina flies with divergens
in N. India.
Geographical range. Punjab, N.E. Himalaya; Sundaland.
Habitat preference. In the Mulu survey the species was found mainly in
lowland forest, though not in kerangas; it was particularly abundant in
association with limestone and was taken as high as 1200m on G. Api. In Brunei
it has also been taken in coastal associations and in areas with swamp forest.
Biology. The larva was described by Piepers & Snellen (1900) under the name Thosea
divergens. Its shape is akin to that of Cania or Thosea species.
It is a beautiful delicate green, it has an orange-red mark posteriorly and
anteriorly on the dorsum when young and, when fully grown, a dorsal yellow
stripe within which are three whitish spots mingled with red. Prior to pupation
it becomes red, the dorsal stripe a lighter red, and the spines of the tubercles
pale yellow.
The host-plants recorded were Mangifera (Anacardiaceae), Terminalia
(Combretaceae) and Eugenia (Myrtaceae).
<<Back
>>Forward <<Return
to Contents page
|
