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Dysphania
militaris Linnaeus
Phalaena militaris Linnaeus,
1758, Syst. nat. (edn 10): 505.
Euschema abrupta Walker, 1862, Trans. ent. Soc. Lond., 1862:
70.
Dysphania militaris abnegata Prout,
1917, Novit. zool. 24: 294.
Dysphania
militaris
Dysphania
militaris
Linnaeus
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Diagnosis and taxonomic notes. This and the next species resemble each other
closely. In militaris the black markings within the yellow areas are more
extensive, the hind wing discal patch in particular being larger, more
irregular, less round in outline, with a black bar between it and the dorsum.
There is basal black to the hindwing in militaris, lacking in sagana, and
the abdomen is ringed with black in militaris, but pure yellow in sagana
(though the Hainan subspecies of militaris, abnegata Prout, resembles
sagana in these features). Yazaki (1989, in litt.) has suggested
the two taxa may be conspecific, with a range of local, or perhaps seasonal,
variation. The male genitalia are indistinguishable. Further field observations
are needed.
Geographical range. Oriental Region to Sundaland.
Habitat preference. No recently collected material has been seen. There
is material from G. Kinabalu in BMNH, probably collected from lower elevations.
Biology. The species has been reared by Dr M. Bascombe on Carallia in Hong
Kong. The larva is illustrated in (above). The anterior of the pupal thorax has
a pair of conspicuous, dorsally white-rimmed black circles that appear to be
eye-spots.
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