Nygmia peperite Collenette comb. n.
Euproctis peperites Collenette, 1932, Novit. zool., 38: 72.
Euproctis peperites Collenette; Holloway, 1976: 49.
Euproctis peperites luteata Holloway, 1976: 49.
Diagnosis
The forewings are pale greyish yellow or a stronger yellow (form luteata, only known from one female), with darker speckling and a diagnostic diffuse oblique fascia, this last distinguishing it from the otherwise very similar exitela Collenette and funeralis Swinhoe. All three are distinguished most reliably by their male genitalia.
The valve arms in peperites are both very narrow, the ventral one slightly larger. In both other species the more dorsal one is significantly larger, broader.
Taxonomic notes
The female form luteata has a yellower tone to the forewing than does typical peperites, but the genitalia are identical. Its status is unclear, given that the typical form also occurs in Borneo. The male genitalia indicate a relationship to xanthomela, particularly in the large, entire juxta and the presence of ‘socii’ that may be dorsal extensions of the valves. N. pelopicta Collenette comb. n. (Peninsular Malaysia) is also related.
Geographical range
Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo.
Habitat preference
Four typical specimens have been taken in forest at altitudes below 300m. The holotype female of form luteata was taken at 1930m on G. Kinabalu.
Biology
Yunus & Ho (1980) recorded the species as feeding on Ficus (Moraceae).
Genitalia:
