Eublemma commoda Walker

Vescisa commoda Walker, 1864, J. Proc. Linn. Soc. (Zool.), 7: 191.

Raparna crenulata Hampson, 1896, Fauna Br. India, Moths 4: 538, syn. n.

Eublemma posttornalis Rothschild, 1915, Rep. B.O.U. Exp., p. 54, syn. n.

Diagnosis

The crenate margins to the medium grey wings and the strong tornal black bar to the hindwing are distinctive of members of the Vescisa group. Markings elsewhere on the wings tend to be obscure and variable, but there is often blackish punctate fasciation on the forewing and a more diffuse medial dark patch on the dorsal part of the hindwings.

Taxonomic note

Poole (1989) placed this species and its synonym in Vescisa, also treated as a good genus by Edwards in Nielsen et al. (1996). The facies (see above) and the male genitalia (see the next species and illustrations) certainly define a monophyletic species-group, but it is not clear whether its recognition would render paraphyletic the broad concept of Eublemma proposed by Fibiger & Hacker (2002). The group is therefore retained within Eublemma. No significant genitalia differences were observed that would distinguish males from the Indian Subregion from those from Borneo, therefore crenulata (with syntypes from Bhutan and Borneo) is placed as a synonym of commoda. The taxon posttornalis Rothschild (New Guinea (slide 20776), Solomons (slide 20777)) also has facies and genitalia as in commoda, and is treated as a synonym as well. Two other species were included by Poole (1989) in the Vescisa group: digona Hampson (Australia); pervadens Warren (Solomons). A further species is described below.

Geographical range

India, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Sulawesi, New Guinea, Bismarcks. Solomons.

Habitat preference

Seven specimens have been taken in recent surveys, five from lowland forest and two from lower montane forest at 1000m. Chey (1994) recorded three in lowland softwood plantations.

Biology

Bell (MS) reared the species in India. The larva is a semilooper with prolegs absent from A3 and A4. It is broadest over A2 and A3, where there are supraspiracular swellings (also on A1 and A4), and tapers at each end, except for slight dorsal tumidity on A8. The thoracic segments bear transverse rows of down-curved setae, the anterior of which cover the head, which is shining yellowish green. The body is also a glossy grass-green, with a subspiracular broken white band and dorsal brown blotching; there are white chevrons dorsally On A2-4. The setae are on chalazae. The subdorsal setae of T2 and T3, and the supraspiracular ones of A1 and A2 are much longer than the others (about 4mm) and stouter, paler; the distal third is thickened into a black, shining, spindle-shaped club. The spiracles are rufous, rimmed black. A variant had the subspiracular white band more developed, and more lateral speckling of black and orange associated with the subspiracular setae and chalazae. Another variant was covered with vinous blotches, the chalazae were pinkish, and the dorsal chevrons yellow; the head was black.

The larva sits in a strongly looped position, highly arched between T3 and A5, feeding on the flowers of its host plant, favouring the buds. The pupa is formed in an ovoid cocoon of silk incorporating fluff from the calyces of the flowers and forming a hard cell that also incorporates larger flower fragments such as rows of diagonally placed pedicel sections. The interior of the cocoon is smooth, shining, grey silk.

Host plants recorded by Bell were Allophyllus (Sapindaceae) and Buchanania (Anacardiaceae). The vinous-blotched larvae were found on Memecylon (Melastomataceae). Robinson et al. (2001) recorded Olea (Oleaceae) and the fruits of Nephelium (Sapindaceae) as larval hosts.

The cocoon was stated by Bell to be similar to that of E. versicolor Walker (more probably E. angulifera Moore).