Mustilia dierli sp. n.
Mustilia hepatica Moore sensu Holloway, 1976: 86
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Mustilia dierli
 (paratype)
(natural size)
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25-28mm.
The species resembles hepatica (Himalaya, with a race in Peninsular
Malaysia) externally except the forewing discal spot is larger, more
elongate. In the male genitalia the lobes of the furca are more finely,
less darkly spined. The valves are broader basally (cf. of relatively even
width) with a more complex saccular margin. The aedeagus vesica has a
longitudinal band of heavy spines, and two basal patches of spines; in
hepatica there is an irregular basal ring, with only weak bands or groups
of spines more distally.
Specimens from other parts of Sundaland share the diagnostic features of
the elongate discal spot and the fine pale spining to the furca, but vary
in valve shape and saccular ornamentation. The Javan male dissected (slide
1116) has prominent lobed shoulders to the tegumen and reduced spining in
the aedeagus vesica.
Holotype
E.
SABAH: Brumas, 500ft, 25.4.1973 (K.M. Guichard) BM bombycid slide 52.
Paratypes.
SARAWAK:
Gunong Mulu Nat. Park, R.G.S. Exped. 1977-8 (J.D. Holloway et al.) Site 1,
January, Camp 4, Mulu, 1790m. 452463 [upper montane forest] BM bombycid
slide 53; 4
BRUNEI:
30-60m, Labi, lowland forest and secondary veg., various dates (Lt. Col.
M.G. Allen); 3
BRUNEI:
300m, Ulu Temburong, rainforest, various dates (Lt. Col. M. G. Allen) BM
bombycid slide 82 (venation); 1
SABAH: Mt Kinabalu, Mesilau, 1500m, vii-ix. 1965, Cambridge Expedition to
Mt Kinabalu 1965 (H.J. Banks, H.S. Barlow & J.D. Holloway).
Geographical
range. Sundaland, overlapping with hepatica in Peninsular Malaysia.
Habitat preference. The species is frequent from the lowlands to 2000m.
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