TRIBE LITHOSIINI
View Image Gallery of The Tribe Lithosiini

 “Eilema” brevivalva sp. n


"Eilema" brevivalva (holotype)
(x 1.32)


"Eilema" ?brevivalva
(x 1.32)



11-13mm, probable 12-13mm. Males of this species have a patch of rufous scales on the forewing underside posterior to the anal vein as in sandakana, with the basal part of the dorsal margin expanded, but are more a pale fawn on the upperside with a darker greyer zone at the forewing apex on both surfaces. The forewing venation also differs, with R2 stalked with R3-5. The female has similar venation, but the forewing is a uniform pale grey, including the costal margin. The male genitalia are very different from those of sandakana apart from the aedeagus, where there are similar globular and narrow diverticula bearing apical cornuti, but the narrow one is much more elongate. There is a spur at the apex of the aedeagus, but very much smaller than in sandakana. Whilst the saccus is narrow and rectangular, and there are weak and less rugose sclerotisations in the diaphragm, the arched juxta structure of sandakana is not evident and the valves are very short, consisting of a weak dorsal part and a narrow saccular spine that extends beyond it, angled from a broad, semicircular base. The probable females have a long bursa that may correspond to the long diverticulum of the male vesica, the whole of it rather thickened and with a slight honeycomb pattern. There are two weak, nipple-like signa distally within it, and a slight lateral lobe at the base. The ductus is short, expanding to the ostium..

Holotype  SARAWAK: Gunong Mulu Nat. Park, R.G.S. Exped. 1977-8 (J.D. Holloway et al.), Site 15, February, Camp 2.5, Mulu, 1000m. 413461, lower montane f., BM arctiid slide 2639.

Paratypes: 3 (slide 5399) as holotype; 3 (slide 2640) general data as holotype but Site 25, April, G. Api, 900m. 427550, lower montane forest.

Probable As above from Site 15 (slides 2649, 2654, 2657, 2661), Site 18 (slide 2663; W. Melinau Gorge, 150m, alluvial forest) and Site 25 (slide 2662).

Geographical range. Borneo.

Habitat preference. All material except one lowland female was from lower montane forest.

<<Back >>Forward <<Return to Contents page


Copyright © Southdene Sdn. Bhd. All rights reserved.