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Comibaena
biplaga Walker
Comibaena biplaga Walker, 1861, List Specimens lepid. insects
Colln Br. Mus., 22: 577.
Diagnosis. The pale orange interior to the brown tornal and apical marks of
forewing and hindwing is diagnostic.
Taxonomic notes. The male genitalia place this species in a group with C.
integranota Hampson (Sri Lanka, S. India), C. diluta Warren (Japan)
and an undescribed species from Java (slide 16824).
Geographical range. N.E. Himalaya, Sundaland.
Habitat preference. The species is infrequent in lowland forest. A single specimen was
taken in lower montane forest at 1000m on G. Mulu.
Biology. Bell (MS) described the larva of the related S. Indian species integranota.
It is yellowish, variegated with brown, pink and white with the thoracic and
abdominal flanges and tubercles typical of the Comibaeniti. To these it attaches
particles of the flowers of the host-plant. It sits in a highly looped posture,
rocking backwards and forwards. Pupation is in a silken cocoon containing flower
particles.
The larva feeds on the
flowers of Memecylon (Melastomataceae).
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