Comibaena biplaga Walker

Comibaena biplaga Walker, 1861, List Specimens lepid. Insects Colln Br. Mus., 22: 577.

Diagnosis

The pale orange interior to the brown tornal and apical marks of forewing and hindwing is diagnostic.

Taxonomic Notes

The male genitalia place this species in a group with C. integranota Hampson (Sri Lanka, S. India), C. diluta Warren (Japan) and an undescribed species from Java (slide 16824).

Geographical Range

N.E. Himalaya, Sundaland.

Habitat Preference

The species is infrequent in lowland forest. A single specimen was taken in lower montane forest at 1000m on G. Mulu.

Biology

Bell (MS) described the larva of the related S. Indian species integranota. It is yellowish, variegated with brown, pink and white with the thoracic and abdominal flanges and tubercles typical of the Comibaeniti. To these it attaches particles of the flowers of the host-plant. It sits in a highly looped posture, rocking backwards and forwards. Pupation is in a silken cocoon containing flower particles. The larva feeds on the flowers of Memecylon (Melastomataceae).

Genitalia: