Psimada quadripennis Walker

Psimada quadripennis Walker, 1858, List Specimens lepid. Insects Colln Br. Mus., 15: 1828.

Sanys? javana Felder & Rogenhofer, 1874, Reise öst. Fregatte Novara, Lep. Het.: pl. 119, f. 28,

Diagnosis

The male antennae are distinctly swollen (see above), but the facies is otherwise very similar to that of the next genus. However, the moth is more robust, and the forewing is more axehead-shaped. The lens-shaped paler grey brown area at the margin of the hindwing is also diagnostic. There is some sexual dimorphism, with the female having a better defined triangular mark subapically on the forewing costa; the forewing basal to this is also more uniformly pale.

Geographical range

Indian Subregion, S. China, Taiwan, Burma, Thailand (VK), Sundaland, Sulawesi, Seram.

Habitat preference

This is an uncommon lowland species, with no records from above 100m in recent surveys: two specimens from alluvial forest at 70m near G. Mulu, two from dry heath forest on sand at 15m near Telisai and two taken on a boat in mangrove in Brunei.

Biology

The larva was reared by Bell (MS) in India. The prolegs of A3 and A4 are slightly smaller than the others. The head is a very pale, dull, greenish white. The body is a rather translucent, darkish grass green, slightly paler at the extremities. The spiracles are orange with white rims. There is a slightly darker green dorsal line but otherwise the body is unmarked.

The larvae live beneath young leaves. Pupation is on the ground in a flimsy cell of silk and detritus. The pupa lacks a bloom.

The host plant was Ficus (Moraceae).

Genitalia: