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Toxoproctis
munda Walker
comb. n.
Euproctis munda Walker, 1862, J. Linn. Soc. (Zool.), 6:129.
Euproctis lodra Moore sensu Holloway, 1976: 45.
Euproctis cornelia Schintlmeister,
1994: 130, ?syn. n.
Toxoproctis
munda 
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Toxoproctis
munda |
Toxoproctis
munda |
Diagnosis and taxonomic note. This could be one variable species (See
Toxoproctis dyssema Collenette), or a complex of species, as suggested by Schintlmeister
(1994). However, he illustrated specimens that bear little resemblance to the
holotype of munda either in facies or male genitalia. His taxon cornelia
is closest in facies to munda and is therefore brought tentatively
into synonymy. Males that were associated with Perina lodra
Moore
comb. n. in the BMNH and referred to by Toxopeus (1948) belong
to the munda complex. Also, the next few species have very similar male
genitalia, but can be distinguished on facies: association of females is as yet
unsatisfactory, but these do show differences in the ostial area. T. munda has
a characteristic stepped delineation of the border between the main warm grey
zone of the forewing and the distal yellow border as illustrated. The intensity
of the grey, its extent on the hindwing and the brightness of the yellow all
vary, yielding a range of forms: the typical one has the grey darker, extensive,
the yellow paler; forms possibly referable to cornelia have the grey much
lighter, the yellow ground colour slightly brighter and tending to show through
the grey more; and there are extensively yellow forms (possibly associated with
heath forest) that might also be referable to cheela Swinhoe (See
Toxoproctis cheela Swinhoe comb.n).
The male genitalia of the complex have the uncus shoulders rather sloping, and
the valves are squarish, the dorsal distal angle rounded, the more ventral one
more irregular, cut off rather obliquely. The pair of apical spines of the
aedeagus have one (slightly smaller) more or less straight, one angled acutely
in reverse. The bands of spines in the vesica include a long one extending right
across it, and one about half the length, slightly broader and with larger
spines.
Geographical range. Sundaland.
Habitat preference. The species is infrequent in the lowlands, found
particularly in heath, swamp and coastal forest types.
Biology. Material in BMNH from Peninsular Malaysia has been reared from Cananga
(Annonaceae) and from the fruit of banana (Musa; Musaceae).
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