Belciana biformis Walker

Dandacabiformis Walker, 1858, List Specimens lepid. Insects Colln Br. Mus.,

15: 1671.

Belciana biformis Walker; Holloway, 1976: 32.

Diagnosis

The general facies is as described for the genus. The forewing is pale bluish green in tone, with white fasciae conspicuous but black usually restricted to blocks medially, posterior to the discal area. The reniform does not usually have a black central streak. See also the next four species.

Taxonomic notes

The Indian taxon hemodi Felder & Rogenhofer is a distinct species rather than a synonym of biformis as in Poole (1989). The male genitalia (slide 21216) have the valves apically acute rather than rounded, with a broader, shorter harpe on the sacculus. The aedeagus vesica has the cornuti generally much shorter.

Geographical range

Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra.

Habitat preference

The species is uncommon but has been recorded from the lowlands to about 1800m, mostly in forested localities.

Biology

The species has been reared from Shorea maxima (Dipterocarpaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia (H.S. Barlow, pers. comm.). Pupation was in a cocoon incorporating numerous large fragments of leaf and stalk. Robinson et al. (2001) also noted Heritiera (Sterculiaceae) as a host.