Dialithoptera gemmata Hampson

Pisara gemmata Hampson, 1896, Fauna Br. India, Moths, 4: 506.

Diagnosis

See the generic description, particularly of the forewing facies.

Geographical Range

India, N.E. Himalaya, Nepal (Inoue, 1998), Borneo; noted for Burma, Vietnam and Sumatra by the Budapest group.

Habitat Preference

Three specimens were taken inlowland dipterocarp forest at 150m on the slopes of G. ulu.

Biology

The species was reared by Bell (MS) in India. The larva is a typical noline, rather flattened, with erect secondary setae on dull orange-brown verrucae, and lacking prolegs on A3. The subspiracular setae are longer, making the body look broader. The body is purplish-brown or chocolate brown, with a light yellow subspiracular line over the abdominal segments; the associated verrucae are also this colour, with white hairs. The hairs are black on the more dorsal brown verrucae. The venter and prolegs are greenish yellow to yellow, the feet pinkish. The larvae are gregarious, lying in rows on the undersides of leaves where they eat the cuticular layer only. The cocoon incorporates particles of bark, and the stout pupa lacks a cremaster.

Genitalia: