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SUBFAMILY
BAGISARINAE |
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Amyna stellata Butler (Plate 2 Figs 40, 52 ) Amyna stellata Butler, 1878, Ann.
Mag. nat. Hist. (5), 1: 162. Diagnosis. This is a smaller, more delicate species than axis, distinguished by a pale subapical mark on the forewing costa and development of pale markings around both components of the reniform. When the posterior component is entirely white (more usually a white ellipse), it is somewhat smaller than in axis. In the male genitalia the sides of the tegumen are shorter, broader and distinctly convex compared with axis, where the sides are almost straight, shallowly concave over the central part. Taxonomic note. Yoshimoto (1993a) recorded stellata from Nepal without comment on synonymy, but he obviously considered the species to range more widely in mainland Asia, beyond the type locality of Japan. The type material of leucopera Hampson and albiloba Warren appears to be conspecific with stellata with no consistent differences detectable in facies or genitalia. A. renalis Moore (Himalaya) needs further study in relation to stellata, as it also has similar male genitalia. However, it appears to be slightly larger and tends to have more white irroration on the forewing fasciae, particularly along the costa. The reniform has its lobes more equal in emphasis, both usually brown‑centred (the posterior one can be more ochreous to cream in stellata, whereas the anterior one is always brown‑centred). The type locality of albiloba, Loeboe Rajah, was attributed by Poole (1989) to India but is in fact in Sumatra. This is one of several very similar species related to axis, mostly having a rather triangular forewing fovea in the male when viewed from below. In A. modesta Warren (Hainan) the fovea is distinguished by having a strong eyelid-like flap extending over it from anteriorly. A. spissa Warren (Lesser Sundas, Sulawesi) is very similar to stellata but has a more prominent central lobe to the upper arm of the valve. Geographical range. Japan, China, Taiwan, Indian Subregion, Sundaland. Habitat preference. Bornean material is restricted to a series of males without precise altitude data collected on G. Kinabalu by Waterstradt. Biology. The larva in Japan was illustrated in Sugi (1987). It is typical of the genus, leaf‑green, with a thin weak, paler dorsolateral line and a stronger, broader lateral one. The segmental junctions are also marked by a slightly paler ring and by slight expansion of the lateral line. The host plant recorded was Achyranthes (Amaranthaceae). |
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