TRIBE BAPTINI
View Image Gallery of Tribe Baptini

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).


Tasta micaceata


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.

<<Back >>Forward <<Return to Contents page


Copyright © Southdene Sdn. Bhd. All rights reserved.