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Acosmeryx Boisduval
Types species: anceus Stoll.
Species of Acosmeryx are usually purplish to reddish grey, the forewings
crossed by a series of fine, sometimes obscure, crenulate fasciae except
in the medial zone where there is a definite, often yellow-centred, dark
discal dot. A diffuse dark band extends from just beyond the centre of the
costa obliquely to the margin subtornally, passing distally to the discal
dot. The postmedial series of fasciae is displaced basad posterior to this
oblique shade. The anterior half of the shade is often cut off sharply
distally by a curved pale zone. The margin of the forewing is slightly
excavate subapically.
In the male genitalia the uncus is long, slender, entire, the gnathus
shorter, broader, apically excavate. The harpe is distinctive, strongly
dilated apically in a trumpet-like fashion, the apex finely spined. At the
aedeagus apex is a short band of sclerotisation, partially serrate on the
margin, that terminates in a delicate triangular spine.
The larva lacks ocellar markings but has a subdorsal band below which are
weak oblique stripes. The body is swollen over A1 and T3, tapering
anteriorly to that. Host-plants are mainly in the family Vitidaceae and
allies.
The genus is most diverse in the Oriental tropics but extends eastwards to
New Guinea and Australia (D'Abrera, 1986: 130).
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