Phazaca ?alikangensis Strand comb. n.

Dirades alikangensis Strand, 1916, Arch. Naturgesch., 82 (A. 1): 139.

Diagnosis and taxonomic notes

See Phazaca leucocera Hampson. Females, not known from Borneo, have the angle of the hindwing postmedial distinctly falcate towards the dorsum.

This species was characterised by Inoue (1989) on grounds of the lack of ornamentation of the aedeagus apex in the male and the ductus bursae of the female.

The males from Borneo are consistent with this diagnosis: the aedeagus apex lacks ornamentation.

The valves are relatively broad, with extensive setation over the ventral and apical parts.

Geographical range

Taiwan, Ryukyu Is., ?Borneo.

Habitat preference

Two males were taken at 1000m in lower montane forest on G. Mulu (slides 301, 448). A further male without altitude data or abdomen from G. Kinabalu may also be referable.

Biology

The species has been reared in Taiwan (Chen, 1997). The larva is stout, black, rugose, finely marked with white tracery at each end and dorsolaterally, with a pair of larger patches within these dorsolateral markings towards the posterior end.

The host-plant was a species of Mussaenda (Rubiaceae).

Genitalia: