Tanaorhinus malayanus Inoue

Tanaorhinus malayanus Inoue, 1992: 157.

Tanaorhinus reciprocata Walker; Holloway, 1976: 61.

Diagnosis

This is the biggest species of the three, distinguished by strong dark postmedials on the underside and by extensive white marking between and including the more crenulate postmedials and submarginals on the upperside, this is lacking in the next two species where some greyish suffusion may occur in the forewing medial zone.

Taxonomic Notes

The male genitalia (M.D. Sommerer*, pers. comm.*) of malayanus and reciprocata are very similar so the specific status of malayanus is questionable.

Inoue noted less falcate forewings, more extensive white marking on the upperside and a broader blackish postmedial band on the underside.

The colliculum of the female genitalia is more produced, deeply bilobed.

Geographical range

Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo.

Habitat preference

Two females have been taken on G. Kinabalu, at 1620m and 1930m (Holloway, 1976).

Biology

The type taxon, confuciaria, is regarded as a subspecies of reciprocata and related to malayanus. Its host-plant in Japan is Quercus (Fagaceae), as indicated above.