Giaura robusta Moore

Selepa robusta Moore, 1888, Descr. new Indian lepid. Insects Colln W.S. Atkinson: 288.

Giaura robusta Moore; Holloway, 1976: 21.

Diagnosis

As the genus of original description implies, this species has a facies similar to that of Selepa Moore, particularly the conspicuous and strongly curved forewing postmedial.

It is larger, more robust, the postmedial meeting the costa with a longer oblique section and being rendered more conspicuous by an extensive pale brown zone basal to it.

In the hindwing, veins M3 and CuA1 are stalked rather than independent.

Taxonomic Notes

In the male the tegumen is massively expanded, almost enclosing the rest of the genitalia.

The black-scaled processes are rather club-like, and the saccus is distally slender, digitate.

In the female the ductus is very long and slender, the bursa large, finely and evenly scobinate throughout.

Geographical range

N.E. Himalaya, Borneo, Palawan (ZMUC).

Habitat preference

Of five specimens taken in recent surveys, three are from alluvial, swamp and coastal forest in the lowlands of N. Sarawak and Brunei.

The other two are from 1200m on G. Kinabalu and from 1618m on Bukit Retak.

Genitalia: