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Comostola
chlorargyra Walker
Comibaena chlorargyra Walker,
1886, List Specimens lepid. Insects Colln Br. Mus., 22: 577.
Leucodesmia confusa Warren,
1905, Novit. zool. 12: 422; syn. n.
Comostola hyptiostega Prout,
1935, Novit. zool. 39: 225, syn. n.
Diagnosis. This and the next species are very similar and most reliably
distinguished by examination of the male genitalia. In the next species the
beading of the distal margin of the forewing is regular whereas in chlorargyra
two of the central elements are flexed slightly inwards.
Taxonomic notes. The male genitalia of Bornean chlorargyra, Sri Lankan confusa
and Javan hyptiostega indicate conspecificity: they show strong
asymmetry. C. conchylias Meyrick stat. rev. from New Guinea is
externally similar but has symmetrical genitalia, the valves each as in the
right valve of chlorargyra. A third member of the group is C. minutata
Druce from the Solomons and Bismarcks where the genitalia are slightly
asymmetric with the valve structure rather reduced as in the left valve of C.
chlorargyra.
Geographical range. Indian Subregion, Andamans, Borneo, Java, Philippines, Sulawesi
(slide 17262).
Habitat preference. The species is more frequent than the next, found in various
lowland forest types, except in heath forest.
Biology. In the Andamans (unpublished IIE records) the larva has been found
feeding on the inflorescences of Cerbera (Apocynaceae).
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