Petelia medardaria Herrich-Schäffer

Petelia medardaria Herrich-Schäffer, 1856, Samml. aussereur. Schmett., 1: p1.94.

Bargosa chandubija Walker, 1860, List Specimens lepid. Insects Colln Br. Mus., 21: 480.

Bargosa chacoraca Walker, 1860, Ibid. 21: 481.

Petelia medardaria Herrich-Schaffer; Holloway, 1976: 74.

Diagnosis

This is one of the three smaller species with a strong discal spot on the hindwing underside. It tends not to have strong medial fasciae on the upperside, unlike the other two species, nor does it have a form with a diffuse black zone at the apex of the forewing; when black does occur in this area it consists of two subcostal black spots associated with the postmedial (see male specimen illustrated). The most reliable diagnosis is in the male genitalia where the uncus is distinctly, if weakly, two-humped, the valve somewhat broader centrally as in the next species. In the female genitalia the ductus is shorter in distracta and is more clearly differentiated from the bursa by an asymmetrical swelling at the base of the latter.

Taxonomic Notes

The original illustration of medardaria has the dark markings associated with the postmedials referred to in the diagnosis.

Geographical Range

Indian Subregion to Queensland and Bismarck Is.

Habitat Preference

Most material on G. Kinabalu was taken in areas of disturbed forest and cultivation at about 1000m. During the Mulu survey it was taken frequently only in forest at 250m on the limestone G. Api. It is probably primarily a lowland species, perhaps with some affinity for disturbed areas.

Biology

The larval chaetotaxy was described in great detail by Singh (1953). The body is cyclindrical, slightly narrowed over the thoracic segments. It is very finely granulated. The colour (alcohol-preserved specimens) is pale mottled brown, the spiracles rimmed black. The host plants were in the rhamnaceous genera Gouania, Ziziphus and Hovenia.

Genitalia: