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Athetis
thoracica Moore comb. n., stat. rev.
Radinacra
thoracica Moore, 1884, Lep. Ceylon, 3: 31.
Leucocosmia
ceres Butler, 1886, Trans. ent. Soc. Lond., 1886: 394.
Caradrina
euthusa Hampson, 1891, Illustr. typ. specimens Lepid. Het. Colln Br. Mus., 8:
79.
Caradrina
heliarcha Meyrick, 1897, Trans. ent. Soc. Lond., 1897: 370.
Caradrina
unipunctata Bethune-Baker, 1906, Novit. zool., 13: 201.
Leucocosmia
nonagrica Walker auctorum (Zimmerman, 1958; Robinson, 1975; Holloway, 1979).
Diagnosis.
This and the
next species are very similar. Both have males distinctive within Athetis in
having a large basal area of the forewing buff, contrasting with the grey of the
rest of the wing. The hindwings are at least partially slightly nacreous, with
the veins picked out darker, a feature absent from other Bornean Athetis. The
two species are distinguished from each other in the diagnosis of the
next.
Geographical
range. Indo-Australian
and Pacific tropics.
Habitat
preference. The
species is frequent in open habitats, particularly in the lowlands. Confusion
with the next species has prevented a clear picture of any habitat segregation
between the two.
Biology.
The life
history was described in great detail by Zimmerman (1958; after Swezey). The egg
is hemispherical with 30 meridional ribs and faint crossridges. It is green with
a red patch at the apex and a ring of the same colour one third from apex to
base.
The
first instar larvae are blackish with prominent setae; they move in 'semi-Looper'
fashion. The second instar is mottled reddish green.
Later
instars are mottled greenish and blackish with some red, and with subdorsal
white lines. A8 is humped and has two white spots dorsally as has A2. Instars
become progressively darker and more variegated with black brown, olive green,
yellow and white.
Pupation
is in the soil.
Host-plants
recorded (Zimmerman; Robinson, 1975; CIE records) are: Commelina
(Commelinaceae);
Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae); Syzygium (Myrtaceae); Portulaca (Portulacaceae);
Nicotiana (Solanaceae); Camellia (Theaceae) and unspecified
Gramineae and Leguminosae.
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