Tasta chalybeatoides Holloway sp. n.
Tasta chalybeata Warren sensu Holloway, 1976: 85.
♂♂, ♀ 13mm. This and the next three species are paler than those described above. In chalybeatoides the fasciae are more clearly delineated, and the forewing has a distinct dark discal bar as in T. chalybeata from Sulawesi. The hindwing ocellus is similarly oblique, with the long axis of the ellipse more parallel to the margin than in other species, with the yellow surround broader along the distal side. The male genitalia resemble those of chalybeatain having a somewhat hooked cornutus in the vesica and a scattering of small setae in the centre of the valve, but the former is accompanied by an additional distal cornutus and the latter by a semicircular flange or flap near the ventral margin. There are no digitate processes on the valve. The genitalia of T. reflexa Swinhoe resemble those of chalybeata.
Holotype ♂
SARAWAK: Gunung Mulu Nat. Park, R.G.S Exped. 1977-8 (J.D. Holloway et al.) Site 15, February, Camp 2.5,Mulu, 1000m, 413461, [lower montane forest], BM geometrid slide 15511.
Paratype
- 2 ♂♂ as holotype (slide 15514)
- 4 ♂♂ as holotype but site 14
- 1 ♀ SABAH: Mt Kinabalu, ‘Power Station’, l930m, vii-ix 1965, Cambridge Expedition to Mt Kinabalu 1965 (H.J. Banks, H.S. Barlow & J.D. Holloway) Brit. Mus. 1968-186, BM geometrid slide 9371.
Geographical range
Borneo.
Habitat preference
Apart from the single specimen from G. Kinabalu at 1930m, all material seen is from the lower montane forest (1000m) on G. Mulu.
Genitalia:
