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Thalassodes linguissita sp. n.
Thalassodes linguissita 
(holotype) |
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14-18mm. The white
fasciae are strong, but rather irregular and broken. Marginal markings are
strong on the hindwing. This is another member of the dissita group. The
saccular setose process is twice as large as in the other two, and the scobinate
spine is very large, asymmetrically tongue-like, extending dorsally and then
flexed out parallel to the valve costa. A related species occurs in Sulawesi
(slide 8453) and Seram (slide 12521) with an even larger scobinate, tongue-like
spine that extends to the small digitate process at the centre of the valve
costa. The saccular process is intermediate in size between that of dissitoides
and that of linguissita.
Holotype E. SABAH: Brumas,
500ft 26.4.1973 (K.M. Guichard), BM geometrid slide 16749.
Paratypes 3
(slide 10722, 10719) SARAWAK: Gunung Mulu Nat. Park,
R.G.S Exped. 1977-8 (J.D. Holloway et al.) Sites 18, 23, 28; 1 BRUNEI:
1000m, Lower Temburong, lowland forest, 20.5.79 (Lt. Col. M.G. Allen) slide
16750.
Putative females of dissitoides
and linguissita have not been satisfactorily separated, but those
identified by slide numbers 10709, 10710, 10716, 10721 and 10724 have genitalia
similar to those of the holotype of dissita. Female 10721 has the lamella
vaginalis more sclerotised as in the Sulawesi/Seram species (slide 8469) and is
tentatively assigned to linguissita, with the rest assigned to dissitoides.
Geographical range. Borneo, Sumatra (slide 8699).
Habitat preference. This is a rare species of lowland forest. Its close relative in
Sulawesi and Seram shows some affinity for disturbed and secondary forest.
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