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Arctornis phrika Collenette
comb. n.
Leucoma phrika Collenette, 1932, Novit. zool. 38:
53.
Leucoma phrika Collenette, 1932, Novit. zool. 38:
53.
Redoa
phrika gedea Toxopeus,
1948, Treubia, 19: 460.
Redoa sp. 10; Holloway, 1976: 45.
Diagnosis. This is a small, satiny white species with distinctive reflective
patterning generated by the broader scales, particularly a broader, sinuous band
in the postmedial area of the forewing. There is a small black discal spot. The
front of the head and palps are almost entirely dark, dull red-brown, and the
legs have patches of the same colour. The male genitalia are asymmetric, with
the right harpe much more strongly developed than the left. See also the next
species which is externally very similar.
Taxonomic note. Other taxa with this type of asymmetric male genitalia occur in Sulawesi
(slide 2204) and Seram (two species: slide 1988, 2001). There is some
variability in the length and breadth of the right harpe in Bornean phrika.
Geographical range. Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo; Java (ssp. gedea).
Habitat preference. The species is most frequently encountered in lowland
forests, but a few specimens have been taken at higher altitudes such as at
1000m on G. Mulu and 1200m on G. Kinabalu.
Biology. Gardner (1938) reared a species attributed to phrika from Shorea
(Dipterocarpaceae) in India. It has not been possible to confirm this
identification.
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