Xyleutes strix Linnaeus

Phalaena (Noctua) strix Linnaeus, 1758, Syst. Nat. (edn. 10) 1: 508.

Zeuzera signata Walker, 1856, List Specimens lepid. Insects Colln. Br. Mus. 7:1537.

Zeuzera bubo Butler, 1882 , Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (5), 10 : 228.

Xyleutes strix Linnaeus; Roepke, 1957: 20; Barlow, 1982: 41.

Diagnosis

This and the next species are similar in size and both have a rectangular black patch just postdiscally on the forewing. However strix has a black thorax and a bone white ground colour to the evenly reticulate forewings whereas persona has a white thorax and the forewings mainly dull dark brown except for a pale border on the dorsum and margin.

Taxonomic notes

Roepke placed Sulawesi (tigrata Houlbert) and Australasian (bubo butler) populations as distinct subspecies.

Geographical range

India, S.E. Asia, Sundaland, Philippines; Sulawesi; Moluccas, New Guinea.

Habitat preference

During the Mulu survey the species was recorded infrequently from various lowland forests, but most particularly alluvial forest.

Genitalia: