Obana Walker

Type species: vagipennata Walker.

Synonyms:

• Hypobleta Turner (type species cymaea Turner, Queensland, = vagipennata), syn. n.
• Vittappressa Bethune-Baker (type species rufiplaga Bethune-Baker, New Guinea), syn. n.

This genus differs from Cerynea in having generally more oblique, irregular lunulate fasciation to the wings, never involving white components, but sometimes with darker markings, even black, in the region between the postmedials and submarginals, usually edging these fasciae. Such markings are strongest near the dorsum in the type species and close relatives (see below). The submarginals are stronger than in Cerynea, and often have darker shades on their distal side, particularly near angled sections on the forewing; these angles may also be picked out more darkly.

In the male abdomen, the eighth segment has only a weak framed corematous structure, with no development of coremata on the sternite (which is shorter than the tergite). In the genitalia, the saccus is broad and the uncus is slender, much as in Cerynea and related genera. However, the valves have more robust processes arising centrally, one from the costa and one more interiorly from the sacculus. That from the costa is often produced into a long, blunt spine, and with the cucullus often reduced, represented by a narrow, tongue-like exterior flap centrally between the costal process and the saccular one. The cucullus bears fine setae, and the saccular process may also have sparse setae. The aedeagus is broader than in Cerynea and may have sclerotisation in the more voluminous, convolute vesica.

The female genitalia have the apodemes of the eighth segment moderate, with no obvious pouch or pockets associated. The base of the corpus bursae is barely coiled, with the ductus seminalis arising well subbasally. The corpus bursae beyond this basal section is generally elongate, sausage-like, with ornamentation if present, just distal to the basal section and consisting of a girdle of small spines, sometimes with (or replaced by) a narrow, transverse, saw-like sclerite.

The facies, the structure of the male valves and the ornamentation of the female corpus bursae suggests that the genus is perhaps closer to Arasada Moore and allies (p. 118) than to Cerynea.

The type species of Hypobleta is synonymous with that of Obana as discussed under vagipennata below.  Three Madagascan species described in Hypobleta, as listed by Poole (1989), are probably misplaced, lacking the facies and genitalia features described above.

In Vittappressa rufiplaga the facies is as in typical Obana, except with extensive rusty patches submarginally in the female. The male genitalia have the costal processes of the valves large and showing bilateral asymmetry. The saccular process is very broad, and the cucullus is digitate, very narrow. The female genitalia have the ring of spines encircling the ovate distal section of the corpus bursae subbasally as in typical Obana. Therefore the type species becomes Obana rufiplaga Bethune-Baker comb. n.

There are two undescribed species in Sulawesi (slides 20898, 21041).

Poole also listed the three following taxa in Obana, following the account by Warren in Gross-Schmett. Erde 11: solomonensis Warren (Solomon Is.) is correctly assigned but has enlarged and somewhat modified genitalia; indecisa Walker is better placed in Cerynea as discussed on p. 91; plagiostola Hampson (Bhutan) is part of the Oruza Walker complex, possibly, from the forewing facies, referable to Cruxoruza Gen. n. (p. 104).