Pinacia molybdaenalis Hübner

Pinacia molybdaenalis Hübner, [1831] 1825, Zuträge Samml. Exot. Schmett., p. 13.

Pinacia plumbealis Walker, [1866] 1865, List Specimens lepid. Insects Colln Br. Mus., 34: 1213, syn. n.

Diagnosis

See the previous species.

Taxonomic Note

In describing plumbealis from Sulawesi, Walker noted differences in the male antennae from molybdaenalis. Male material from Java, Sulawesi and Borneo all has a similarly narrow bipectinate condition, so it is possible Walker confused the sexes. The genitalia show no significant differences.

Geographical Range

Java, Borneo, Sumatra (Lödl, 1999e), Lesser Sundas east to Tanimbar, Sulawesi.

Habitat Preference

The species has not been taken in recent surveys; older material consists of single specimens from Sarawak (Poeh), S.E. Borneo and Pulo Laut that lack more precise data. The holotype in Java was from ‘Jakarta swamp’ (Nye, 1975), so a wetlands habitat is possible.

Biology

In BMNH there is an illustration of a larva and pupa (F. Moore del.), together with dried material of a pupa and a cocoon spun within dead leaves. The larva is yellowish with a black head and two or more transverse black stripes on each segment across the dorsum and laterally, interrupted in the region of the spiracles. All pairs of prolegs are fully developed. The pupa is also yellowish with the segments ringed in black.