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Nygmia moalata Swinhoe
comb. n.
Euproctis moalata Swinhoe, 1916, Ann. Mag. nat. Hist.
(8), 18: 216.
Euproctis divisa Walker, 1862, J. Linn. Soc. (Zool.),
6:129, praeocc.
Euproctis divisella Strand, 1918, Gross-Schmett. Erde, 10: 347.
Nygmia moalata  |
Nygmia moalata |
Nygmia moalata  |
Diagnosis. This species could be confused with exitela, funeralis and peperites,
particularly in the female. Males have rather broader forewings, usually
with a diffuse black discal spot, though this can be absent, and tends to
disappear in worn specimens. The male forewings can be greyish or dull
orange-yellow in ground colour, and the grey irroration on both wings below is
darker than in the other species and diagnostically more intense over the basal
half. Possible females (slides 2717, 2720) resemble those of funeralis and
exitela, but have distinct genitalia. The ostium expands into an
asymmetric pocket within a somewhat semicircular plate. Posterior to this is a
setose, rather heart-shaped lamella postvaginalis.
Taxonomic note. There is no difference in male genitalia between the male colour forms.
The uncus and aedeagus vesica ornamentation are typical of Nygmia, though
the latter has the scobination fine, with the basal zone associated with two
fields of reflexed spines at the aedeagus apex. The valves are unusual,
antler-like, undivided.
Geographical range. Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra.
Habitat preference. This is a common species of lowland forest, including
heath, swamp and coastal types. A single specimen has been taken at 1000m on G.
Mulu in recent surveys.
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