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Lophoptera belli sp. n.
 
11-12mm. The ground colour of the forewings is dark brownish grey
traversed by a sinuous rufous postmedial that is bordered and centred by three
thin dark brown lines; the postmedial is edged distad by a paler leaden grey
band that extends over half the marginal zone and is broadly whitened at one
third from the costa; apically, within the exterior of the marginal band, are
two fused cream-yellow chevrons with further cream flecks marginally, the
largest at one third from the tornus; there is a double white spot at the
reniform, and the dorsum has a broad rufous-cream band that extends out to the
postmedial to taper away there. The species bears some resemblance to L.
ferrinalis but the apical chevrons and white patches of the forewing are
diagnostic. The male genitalia are distinguished by the trilobed saccus,
square-ended uncus, and apically expanded valves with a prominent dorsobasal
process. The female genitalia have the post-ostial invagination short,
broad-based, equilaterally triangular when viewed ventrally.
Holotype . SARAWAK: Gunong Mulu
National Park, R.G.S. Exped. 1977-8 (J.D. Holloway et al.) Site 23,
April, W. Melinau Gorge, 250m, 430558, FEG4 Limestone forest, MV-canopy/understorey,
BM noctuid slide 10658.
Paratype . BRUNEI: 300m, Ulu Temburong,
rainforest, 24.4.81 (Lt. Col. M.G. Allen).
Taxonomic notes. A distinct subspecies, L. belli inopinata ssp. n., occurs in S.
India. It lacks the white markings at the reniform, and the inner submarginal
band is only slightly paler subcostally; the subapical chevrons are present but
the pale rufous zone on the dorsum is absent in the holotype, present but darker
in one paratype, and with its anterior margins delineated thinly with pale
yellow in the two others. The male genitalia are similar to those of the typical
race but the saccus is less definitely trilobed and the uncus tapers terminally
rather than being square-ended. Holotype
S. INDIA (T.R. Bell) BM
1934-394, Karwar, 20.3.26, BM noctuid slide 11306. Paratypes: 3 with
general data as holotype.
Geographical range. Borneo, Sumatra; S. India.
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