Lebeda intermedia sp. n.
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Lebeda intermedia
 (holotype)
(.85
natural size)
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33mm,
49mm. This
species is similar to the Sulawesian L. metaspila Walker
though paler and more contrasty in marking, and is intermediate in
fasciae between the previous two species. The forewings are a warm
brown, the fasciae paler, the two pairs being only very finely
flanked by slightly darker brown. The male genitalia are relatively
larger, particularly broader than in pruetti, the ventral
margin of the vinculum circular rather than triangular. In this they
resemble those of metaspila.
Holotype
Kuching,
BORNEO, BM lasiocampid slide 991.
Other material. 1
Benkoelen, W. SUMATRA, 1
2
Genting Tea Estate, PENINSULAR MALAYSIA.
Geographical
range. Borneo,
Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia.
Biology: The species
has been reared from cocoa (Theobroma: Sterculiaceae) in Sabah (unpublished CIE
records).
Larvae that from
general size were probably those of metaspila were observed in N. Sulawesi
(during Project Wallace) though they were not reared out because of inability to
provide suitable conditions. By day a group of twenty or so were clustered
together at the base of the stem of a small vine, a position which they were
observed to moult. At night they ascended the vine to feed on canopy foliage
(not identified) but by dawn had reconvened at the base of the vine.
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