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Microblepsis Warren
Type species: cupreogrisea Hampson.
Synonym: Betalbara Matsumura (type species manleyi
Leech, Japan).
The genus was reviewed by Watson (1968) as Betalbara, yet
including Microblepsis in synonymy: Microblepsis has priority. In
facies the species resemble those of Albara, though with the straight
fasciae pale and the antemedials also strong. The shape is the typical 'hooktip' form, though the forewing of the type species is somewhat
bifalcate. The male antennae are mostly strongly bipectinate, though more weakly
so or laminate in a few species.
The male genitalia are more as in Agnidra, with the uncus
slender, bifid, and the socii also slender and well separated from it. The
eighth sternite lacks lateral sclerites.
In the female genitalia the ovipositor lobes are somewhat bilobed,
forming a ring. The ductus is long, narrow, broadening evenly into the bursa
that is usually immaculate but sometimes has a small, rather basal patch of
scobination.
The genus is most diverse in N. India and China, attenuating through
S.E. Asia to Sundaland. There are two species in Borneo.
Sugi (1987) illustrated the larvae of two Japanese species. They are
rather irregularly mottled yellow and black or white and black, with
well-developed primary setae on chalazae, bumps on some segments, and a very
long basal process. The patterning is disruptive, possibly imitating a
bird-dropping, and can change between early and late instars.
The host-plants recorded were Carpinus (Betulaceae), Corylus (Corylaceae),
Juglans (Juglandaceae) and Pourthiaea (Rosaceae).
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