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Ugia
signifera Walker
stat. rev.
Sarthida
signifera Walker,
[1863] 1864, J.
Linn. Soc. (Zool.), 7: 81.
Thermesia
(Iluza) affinis Snellen, 1895, Dt. ent. Z. Iris 8:
145, syn.
n.
Diagnosis.
Though the male genitalia are very similar to those of disjungens,
the facies is distinctive, the colour generally a more ashy, bluish grey: the
forewing stigmata are usually larger and closer together (though sometimes the
reniform in disjungens
is
enlarged, it is dark brown rather than black, usually lacks a pale centre and is
not accompanied by a large orbicular); the forewing antemedial is more irregular
and slightly oblique; the postmedials are fine, pale, and punctate with paler
markings, that of the forewing not extending to the apex but only represented by
the portion angled basad subcostally, which is marked by dark on the costa.
Taxonomic
note. The Sumatran taxon affinis is
conspecific with signifera; though one syntype lacks the black stigmata, it has
the pale punctation of the postmedials that characterise the species. The
original description of affinis compared this species in part with U.
transversa Moore
(N.E. Himalaya to S. China). Material comparable with a half-tone photograph in
BMNH of the holotype of transversa
(in
MNHU, Berlin) represents part of the series of U. insuspecta Galsworthy,
described from Hong Kong (Galsworthy, 1997), the principal diagnostic feature of
which is a distinctly bifid apex to the process of the valve sacculus in the
male, together with a small lobe on the valve just distal to this process. The
process in signifera is slender, entire, apically hooked as in other
Bornean species. If the holotype of transversa proves
to have male genitalia as above, then insuspecta should
probably be placed as a synonym.
Geographical
range. Borneo, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia.
Habitat
preference. This is a common species of a range of lowland habitats, mostly
forested but also including disturbed areas and coastal vegetation. The highest
record is from 1000m.
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