|
Thalassodes
opalinoides sp. n.
Thalassodes
opalinoides 
(paratype) |
 |
 |
16-19mm,
 18-19mm.
The facies and male genitalia indicate affinity to the Himalayan T. opalina Butler.
The wings are rather translucent, the pale striae prominent, the marginal red
markings virtually absent except at the hindwing angle. The most distinctive
feature is that the ground colour grades darker towards the postmedials from the
base and is abruptly paler just distal to them. In the male genitalia both
species have on the valve a central subcostal flap, a rather slender acute spur
at the distal end of the oblique structure, and a spine ventral to the
transtillae. The eighth sternite has a central elliptical lacuna in the distal
margin. T. opalinoides is distinguished by a smaller spine at the end of
the oblique structure and a conspicuous scobinate, semicircular plate at the
base of the basal spine.
Holotype SARAWAK: Gunung Mulu
Nat. Park, R.G.S Exped. 1977-8 (J.D. Holloway et al.) Site 25, April,
G. Api, 900m, 492550, lower montane forest, BM geometrid slide 10691.
Paratypes: 2 SARAWAK: general data as holotype but Site 14 (slide 10689) and
Site 19 (slide 10699); 1
BRUNEI: 16.8m, Bukit Retak, montane forest, 18.5.79.
(Lt. Col. M.G. Allen), BM geometrid slide 8686.
Putative females
associated with this species are identified by slide numbers 10711 and 10717.
Geographical range. Borneo.
Habitat preference. The species is found from the lowlands to the upper montane zone at
around 1790m, but is commonest in the lower montane zone at around 1000m.
<<Back
>>Forward <<Return
to Contents page
|
