|
Astygisa
Walker Gen.
rev.
Type species: larentiata Walker (= vexillaria Guenée).
Synonyms: Alana Walker (type species rubiginata Walker = vexillaria);
Apopetelia Wehrli (type species morosa Butler, Japan) syn. n.
The genus includes a number of dull reddish or maroon species, more
robustly built than Petelia. Features of wing pattern include development
of a strong white or yellow discal mark to the hindwing, zones of speckled white
clouding on both wings, and, on the underside, relative uniformity, the border
slightly and diffusely darker, with no dark discal spots.
The definitive feature is in the male abdomen where coremata of varying
size occur between some or all segments from the apex to segment 4. In taxa with
the coremata highly developed, they are supported by narrow bands of
sclerotisation.
The male genitalia are more robust and heavily sclerotised than in Petelia,
usually with strong setae apically and sometimes costally on the valves. The
socii are more developed than in Petelia. The aedeagus vesica bears one
or more strong cornuti that may themselves bear small subsidiary spines towards
the apex (e.g. morosa and circularia Swinhoe).
In the female genitalia (Bornean species examined) the ballooning to the
membrane dorsally just anterior to the ovipositor lobes is shared with Petelia.
Diagnostic features are: the presence of a slight to moderate appendix
bursae arising from near the base of the ductus and giving rise to the ductus
seminalis; displacement of the ostium anteriorly onto segment 7 with development
of a strong, often posteriorly serrate lamella vaginalis; strong fluting and
sclerotisation of the ductus bursae, the ridges of the flutings bearing small
spines; lack of a signum in the bursa (general scobination sometimes present).
The genus is Oriental, with its greatest morphological diversity seen
from the Indian Subregion to Sundaland. In Sulawesi there is a complex of at
least nine species with asymmetric structure of the uncus and valves; the names theclaria
Walker and furva Warren are applicable. The complex probably also
extends to the Lesser Sundas, as one specimen from Timor (slide 12897) has been
located. The complex may bear a sister-relationship to vexillaria, indicated
particularly by the sharing of a spined dorsal margin to the sacculus. Holloway
(1991) presented an analysis of this group.
No life histories are available for the Bornean species, but Sato (1976)
described the larva of two Japanese species. They are deep greenish yellow with
the posterior margin of each abdominal segment pale yellow and the venter pale
greenish yellow. The legs of T1 and the prolegs are tinged reddish purple. The
spiracles are orange with a black rim. There is also a reddish purple form and
intermediate forms. The host-plant was Hovenia (Rhamnaceae).
<<Back
>>Forward <<Return
to Contents page
|
