Ataboruza lauta Butler stat. rev.

Selenis lauta Butler, 1878, Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (5), 1: 294.

Xanthoptera semirufa Snellen, 1880, Tijdschr. Ent. 23: 62, syn. n.

Diagnosis & taxonomic note

See divisa for facies differences. There has been much confusion between divisa and lauta in the past, as can be seen from the revival of the latter from synonymy with the former. The taxon vacillans Walker proves to be a synonym of divisa as noted above. Apart from the facies differences, the genitalia of both sexes are diagnostic. In males of lauta, the tegumen and valves are long relative to the vinculum, the valves narrow with no costal process, only a saccular process that is broad, but somewhat falcate apically; the saccus is narrow but apically notched. In divisa, the valves and tegumen are only slightly longer than the vinculum, the valves with a distinct costal spine; the saccus is rounded distally. In females, divisa has a longer and broader ductus bursae (relative to the seventh segment) than lauta; the ostium is broader, sometimes with a slightly sinuous vental margin.

Geographical range

Indian Subregion, Japan, Taiwan, Sundaland, and east to the Solomons.

Habitat preference

One specimen has been taken in lowland forest of the Barito Ulu of central Kalimantan. A further ten were recorded in both canopy and understorey samples in primary forest at 170m near the Danum Valley Field Centre in Sabah (S.J. Willott, unpublished data).

Biology

Given the confusion over the identities of divisa and lauta, many of the records discussed above for the former could be referable equally to the latter, e.g. that of Sugi (1987), given that only lauta may occur in Japan.

Genitalia: