Mustilia dierli Holloway sp. n.

Mustilia hepatica Moore sensu Holloway, 1976: 86

Diagnosis

♂♂ 25-28mm.

The species resembles hepatica (Himalaya, with a race in Peninsular Malaysia) externally except the forewing discal spot is larger, more elongate.

In the male genitalia the lobes of the furca are more finely, less darkly spined.

The valves are broader basally (cf. of relatively even width) with a more complex saccular margin.

The aedeagus vesica has a longitudinal band of heavy spines, and two basal patches of spines; in hepatica there is an irregular basal ring, with only weak bands or groups of spines more distally.

Specimens from other parts of Sundaland share the diagnostic features of the elongate discal spot and the fine pale spining to the furca, but vary in valve shape and saccular ornamentation.

The Javan male dissected (slide 1116) has prominent lobed shoulders to the tegumen and reduced spining in the aedeagus vesica.

Holotype ♂

E. SABAH: Brumas, 500ft, 25.4.1973 (K.M. Guichard) BM bombycid slide 52.

Paratype

• ♂ SARAWAK: Gunong Mulu Nat. Park, R.G.S. Exped. 1977-8 (J.D. Holloway et al.) Site 1, January, Camp 4, Mulu, 1790m. 452463 [upper montane forest] BM bombycid slide 53
• 4 ♂♂ BRUNEI: 30-60m, Labi, lowland forest and secondary veg., various dates (Lt. Col. M.G. Allen)
• 3 ♂♂ BRUNEI: 300m, Ulu Temburong, rainforest, various dates (Lt. Col. M. G. Allen) BM bombycid slide 82 (venation)
• 1 ♂ SABAH: Mt Kinabalu, Mesilau, 1500m, vii-ix. 1965, Cambridge Expedition to Mt Kinabalu 1965 (H.J. Banks, H.S. Barlow & J.D. Holloway).

Geographical range

Sundaland, overlapping with hepatica in Peninsular Malaysia.

Habitat preference

The species is frequent from the lowlands to 2000m.

Genitalia: