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Macrocilix
maia Leech
Argyris maia Leech, 1888, Proc. zool. Soc. Lond., 1888:
647.
Macrocilix maia Leech; Holloway, 1976: 93.
Diagnosis. The complex forewing medial and hindwing tornal markings on a white
ground are similarly placed to those of Sewa orbiferata Walker, described
next, but very different in compostion and coloration: the illustration should
enable both to be identified with confidence.
Taxonomic notes. Watson (1968) suggested that Indian and Sundanian populations were
subspecifically distinct. However, the structure of the male genitalia is very
similar from Japan to Borneo.
Geographical range. Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan; India; Peninsular
Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo.
Habitat preference. A rare species, maia has been taken singly at
900m on the limestone G. Api, twice at 1618m on Bukit Retak and four specimens
between 1680 and 1930m on G. Kinabalu.
Biology. The larva in Japan was illustrated in Sugi (1987). It tapers from the
grey head backwards to the anal process and has prominent setae, those on the
thorax and in the anal part on long chalazae. The body is creamy, marked with
dark brown in a longitudinally reticulate manner, there being a more or less
continuous subdorsal brown band. Some segments have a rufous suffusion.
The host-plant was Quercus as for the type species.
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