Omichlis dimorpha Kiriakoff

Omichlis dimorpha Kiriakoff, 1974: 399; Holloway 1976: 56, fig. 363.

Diagnosis

This species is variable, the form with the posterior veins of the forewing picked out in dark brown being unmistakable. Otherwise, the most distinctive features are the uniformity of the reddish fawn of the forewing, the depth of the wing and slightly angular distal margin, and the pale yellow reniform.

Taxonomic Notes

The genus is most diverse in New Guinea, with a few species in Queensland and the Bismarcks.

The only other Oriental species is rufotincta Hampson (Burma, N.E. Himalaya, ?Sumatra (Bender & Dierl 1977))

Omichlis dimorpha and O. rufotincta Hampson (N.E. Himalaya, Burma) are still the most westerly representatives of the otherwise predominantly tropical Australasian genus. However, Holloway (1987a) noted a new species in Sulawesi, and Schintlmeister (1993) described two new species in the Philippines: similis from Palawan; diversa from Luzon and Mindanao. Schintlmeister & Lourens (2010) added samar Schintlmeister & Lourens from the island of Samar and described three further island races of diversa. None of these three species has the valve of the male genitalia ornamented as in dimorpha, having two or three short, broad processes rather than one longer slender one. H.S. Barlow (unpublished list, 2008) has recorded dimorpha from Peninsular Malaysia but this needs confirmation by dissection.

Geographical range

Sumatra, Borneo.

Habitat preference

The species has been taken infrequently in forested habitats from the lowlands to about 1500 m. In the Mulu survey it was slightly more frequent in lower montane forest.