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“Eilema” decreta Butler
Lithosia decreta Butler, 1877, Trans. ent. Soc.
London, 1877: 351.
"Eilema"
decreta 
(x 1.32)
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Diagnosis.
Males are
small, a pale dull yellow, though with the forewings distinctly darker, more
orange, than the hindwings, and thus have some similarity with Tampea accepta Butler (see Tampea accepta Butler ) and Holocraspedon flava van Eecke (
see Holocraspedon flava van Eecke). The forewing venation is
different, however, being typical of Eilema
sensu lato. The male genitalia are also distinctive as discussed (see
"Eilema" monochroa Turner stat. rev.) No
candidate specimens for the female have been located.
Taxonomic
note. The
Australian taxon monochroa Turner,
placed as a synonym of decreta in
Nielsen et al. (1996), appears to be
unrelated (see "Eilema"
monochroa Turner stat. rev). Material in the BMNH series of decreta
attributed to monochroa is
congeneric with Brunia, the next genus
discussed. The male genitalia of decreta are
distinctive and atypical of Eilema even
in its broadest sense, particularly the serrate distal margin of the valve, the
bifid saccular process, and the spining and rod at the aedeagus apex. The next
species has some of these features and may be related.
Geographical
range. Borneo.
Habitat
preference. The
holotype male was taken in Sarawak by A.R. Wallace. A further male has been
taken recently in lowland forest at Semongok, near Kuching, and there are three
males from Sabah in the USNM: from 1530m 1km south of Kundasang on the slopes of
G. Kinabalu; 20km east of Telupid; in the lowlands at Tenom.
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