Tasta elliptica Holloway sp. n.

Tasta micaceata Walker sensu Holloway, 1976: 84, part (fig. 669).

♂♂16-17mm. The size and dark blue colour are as in montana but the species has the forewing margin straighter, and also the diffuse postmedial. The hindwing ocellus is elliptical, oblique, the black centre very narrow and the yellow surround very much broader on the anterior side of the ellipse. The male genitalia are similar to those of montana but the aedeagus lacks a bundle of cornuti in the vesica.

Holotype ♂

SABAH: Mt Kinabalu, Park H.Q. 1620m, 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 9369.

Paratypes

• 2♂♂ BRUNEI: 1618m, Bukit Retak, montane forest, 18-19.5.79 (Lt. Col. M.G. Allen), BM geometrid slide 15513
• 1 ♂ BRUNEI: Bukit Retak, 1465m, 4.v.1989 (Col. M.G. Allen)
• 1 ♂ Ulu Temburong Expedition, 1978, BRUNEI: Bukit Retak, 1465m. L.P. 238, m.v. light, 18.x.1978 (*T.W. Harman).

Geographical range

Borneo.

Habitat preference

Rarer than montana, elliptica is also only known from upper montane forest.

Genitalia: