“Eilema” brevivalva sp. n.
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.
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