Eublemma trusmadi Holloway sp. n.

♂♂, ♀♀ 9-10mm. The forewing shape is similar to that of truncatalis and rubricilia, with a strong central angle to the distal margin, but the section from this angle to the tornus is usually more concave. The hindwing margin is more rounded than in truncatalis, and specimens with the angle strong also show concavity in the margin between the angle and the tornus. The species is larger than truncatalis (7mm). The colour is a similar vinous grey, with faint, diffuse, darker, zigzag fasciation. The forewing reniform is usually conspicuous as a dark spot. One Bornean male (slide 20530) has much stronger markings, and the base of the forewing to the antemedial is a distinctly paler grey. The genitalia are as in the more uniform males, however. The specimen from Peninsular Malaysia illustrated is intermediate in strength of marking. The male genitalia have the valves rather straight-sided, tongue-like, with a curved, triangular central process accompanied by a small appressed spur on the costa adjacent to it. The female genitalia have a strong coil at the base of the corpus bursae, which is pyriform distally, with one or two small, transverse streaks of scobination towards the base of this distal section.

Holotype ♀

SABAH: 5m[iles] S. Mt. Trus Madi, 1800ft, 18-28.viii.1977, (M.E. Bacchus), BM noctuid slide 20509.

Paratypes

• 1♀ (slide 20534) SABAH: Brumas, 8.xii.1991, Pinus caribaea (Chey Vun Khen)
• 1♂ (slide 20530) MALAYSIA: Sabah, Danum Valley, 170m, 4°58’ N 117°48’ E (S.J. Willott), 1° Canopy, Tree Pltfm, DVFC, 17.xi.93
• 1♂ SABAH: Tambunan, Kaingaran, 29 Mar. 2006 (Dr Chey V.K. & Richard L.A.) (in FRC, Sepilok).

Taxonomic note

An externally similar species with a stronger, more crenulate  hindwing angle occurs in Sulawesi (slides 20800, 20801, 20936, 20937) and possibly Peninsular Malaysia (Barlow colln), but this has narrower, more acute valves that have a straighter triangular central process and no costal one. The females have genitalia that are relatively smaller, with no ornamentation at the base of the corpus bursae. The distribution makes it possible that this second species may also prove to occur in Borneo.

Geographical range

Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia (Barlow colln).

Habitat preference

The four specimens are from both disturbed and forested localities, mostly in the lowlands. The record by Chey (1994) of eight specimens of rubricilia in softwood plantations near Brumas in the lowlands of Sabah may refer in part to this species. Peninsular Malaysian records are as for plagirosea (p. 175).

Genitalia: