Tasta micaceata Walker
Tasta micaceata Walker, 1862, List Specimens lepid. Insects Colln Br. Mus., 26: 1570.
Dissophthalmus iridis Butler, 1880, Ann. Mag. nat. Hist .(5), 6: 219.
Tasta micaceata Walker; Holloway, 1976: 84, part (fig 668).
Diagnosis
This is a dark species like its two montane relatives described next, but smaller (12-14mm). It is best distinguished on features of the male genitalia: the coremata are well developed, elongate, with a dense array of hairlike setae; the process from the vinculum is ‘Y’, shaped rather than ‘U’ shaped. The aedeagus vesica lacks cornuti, but has a sclerotised and convolute diverticulum (also seen in the next two species). The major digitate processes on the valve are arranged at two thirds in a short arc with its concavity towards the ventral margin.
Taxonomic Notes
Sumatran material (slides 15509, 16508) and that from S. Thailand (slide 16510) has more elaborate scaling to the coremata on the valve. A sibling species may be involved.
Geographical Range
Borneo, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, S. Thailand.
Habitat Preference
Most records are from lowland forest but there have been several from lower montane forest up to 1200m.
Genitalia:
