Teulisna Walker

Type species: plagiata Walker, Borneo.

Synonyms:

• Bitecta Heylaerts (type species: murina Heylaerts, Java)
• Corcura Walker (type species torta Walker, Borneo = chiloides Walker)
• Cossa Walker (type species basigera Walker, India)
• Diastrophia Felder (type species dasypyga Felder, Sulawesi = chiloides Walker)
• Ityca Walker (type species humeralis Walker, Peninsular Malaysia = chiloides Walker)
• Lophoneura Hampson (type species uniformis Hampson, Burma) syn. n
• Tegulata Walker (type species tumida Walker, Borneo)

This genus embraces a diverse array of species from the Oriental and, with far fewer species, Australian tropics, many of which have been included in Eilema Hübner sensu lato in the past. The Bitectasection, represented below by nigricauda Holloway and two new species, was reviewed by Holloway (1982). Most species are sexually dimorphic, particularly with regard to modification of the male forewing, with brushes of scales arising from the basal part of the costa and within the cell. Wing shape is variable, including the typical group, treated first below, with a rather falcate forewing tornus, and the more elongate, slightly elliptical forewing seen in Bitecta. The male forewing cell is usually narrowed, with the distal branches tending to be compressed somewhat into the anterior half of the wing (Fig 2b), and CuA2 having a moderate (typical) to strong (Bitecta; Fig 2a) basal flexure to bring it into a more posterior position, a feature also seen in the female.

Fig 2a. Teulisna murina Heylearts

Fig 2b: Teulisna plagiata Walker

Definitive features are in the male genitalia: the vinculum is developed into a squarish frame, indented slightly at the distal margin, that supports a membrane on which are often diverse setose patches, scent pencils and other structures. These structures are best developed in the typical group. The saccular process of the valve has a dense, dark mass of setae or spines apically. The aedeagus vesica has diverticula that may or may not bear cornuti. The terminal segment of the abdomen is usually short, sometimes thickened, and with lobes, carinae and some denser scaling.

The female genitalia have the bursa immaculate or with a pair of signa.

The genus is very diverse in Borneo, with a high proportion of the species being found in montane forests.