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Achrosis
fulvifusa Warren comb. n.
Prionia fulvifusa Warren, 1901, Novit. zool., 8: 31.
Diagnosis. The obliquely banded rufous brown wings distinguish this and the next
species. The two are separated as indicated in the description of the next.
Taxonomic notes. The third member of this group, the Indian A. intexta Swinhoe
comb. n., has facies much as in the new species, but with furca arms shorter and
more curved than in fulvifusa; in all three the furca arms are
symmetrical. The group is represented in Sumatra, but the identity of the
species has yet to be established.
Geographical range. Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia (Penang).
Habitat preference. The species shows a preference for lowland
dipterocarp and alluvial forest.
Biology. Bell (MS) described the larva of intexta as similar in shape to
that of rondelaria Fabricius (as squalidaria Guenée). The head is
smaller than T1, the anal claspers are splayed, and the body is thickest in the
middle, with T3 and A1 slightly swollen-looking laterally when the larva is in
its highly looped resting posture. The colour is a light pinkish brown, marbled
with white (also in irregular longitudinal bands) and smoky black; there are
large lateral light yellow patches anteriorly on A3 and A4; T1 is anteriorly
orange.
The larva rests highly looped on the undersides and edges of leaves. It
falls on a silken thread if alarmed. Pupation is in a slight, roomy cocoon
between two leaves or within the folded edge of a leaf.
The host-plant is Ixora (Rubiaceae).
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