Arctornis phrika Collenette comb. n.

Leucoma phrika Collenette, 1932, Novit. zool. 38: 53.

Leucoma phrika Collenette, 1932, Novit. zool. 38: 53.

Redoa phrika gedea Toxopeus, 1948, Treubia, 19: 460.

Redoa sp. 10; Holloway, 1976: 45.

Diagnosis

This is a small, satiny white species with distinctive reflective patterning generated by the broader scales, particularly a broader, sinuous band in the postmedial area of the forewing. There is a small black discal spot. The front of the head and palps are almost entirely dark, dull red-brown, and the legs have patches of the same colour. The male genitalia are asymmetric, with the right harpe much more strongly developed than the left. See also the next species which is externally very similar.

Geographical Range

Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo; Java (ssp. gedea).

Habitat Preference

The species is most frequently encountered in lowland forests, but a few specimens have been taken at higher altitudes such as at 1000m on G. Mulu and 1200m on G. Kinabalu.

Biology

Gardner (1938) reared a species attributed to phrika from Shorea (Dipterocarpaceae) in India. It has not been possible to confirm this identification.

Genitalia: