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Aplochlora
vivilaca Walker
Iodis vivilaca Walker, 1861, List Specimens lepid Insects
Colln Br. Mus., 22:544.
Diagnosis. The green coloration is very unusual in the Ennominae so the species
could be confused with some Geometrinae. The absence of vein M2 in the hindwing
is diagnostic in this respect.
Taxonomic notes. Holloway (1979) identified the species tentatively from New Caledonia
but suggested further material might reveal a species complex. A. subflava Warren
stat. rev. (New Guinea) and A. pisochroa Turner stat. rev.
(Queensland) are distinct species, and the New Caledonian and Fijian taxa are
undescribed. These two Pacific taxa are distinguished by bipectinate antennae in
the male. True vivilaca only extends as far east as Sulawesi, and
possibly Seram, though the process of the male eighth sternite in Seram material
is longer, more acute.
Geographical range. Sri Lanka, Indian subregion, Taiwan, Borneo, Sulawesi;
?Seram,
Habitat preference. Five specimens taken during the Mulu survey are the
only ones seen from Borneo. They were from alluvial forest, hill dipterocarp
forest and lower montane forest (1000m) on the Mulu transect.
Biology. The larva was described by Bell (MS). It is cylindrical, with the anal
segment semielliptical. The anal claspers are somewhat tumid, diverging. The
body is shiny, oily-looking, grass- or apple-green, with yellowish segment
margins. The thoracic segments are tinged purplish. A2 has a large,
subspiracular, slightly tumid spot.
The larva rests looped on the edge of a leaf, falling on silk when
disturbed if a spiralling motion is ineffective in deterring an intruder.
Pupation is on the soil in a loose cell of yellow silk that incorporates soil
particles.
The most frequently used host-plant is Casearia (Flacourtiaceae)
but Heloptelea (Ulmaceae) has also been recorded.
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