Taxonomy

W. Malaysia, GTE. Brunei, Seria. The male holotype of Durdara lobata Moore, 1882b:177 (see also Pagenstecher, 1892:39) is in the MfNB. Whalley (1976:150) associated BMNH slide #14529 with this specimen. The female paratype from India (Khasia Hills) is in the NHM (Mi7323). Nec Syn. Rhodoneura myrsusalis (sensu Hampson, 1897:602-603). Auctt. misident. Whalley (1976:150). Nec Syn. Rhodoneura myrsusalis (sensu Dalla Torre, 1914:27). Auctt. misident. Whalley (1976:150). Ssp. pityos Chu & Wang (1991, 338, 346, pl. 2, fig 18 [sic = 19], text fig 18), is from China (Hainan). Ms. stat. n. to ssp. (Shaffer, 1991 LepIndex).

Description

18-22mm. A small dark grey-brown species, with black strigiform markings. In B. lobata the fenestral patch in the middle of the FW differs from B. myrsusalis in having a single larger fenestral spot to the costal side, associated with 2-3 smaller yellowish spots and a single larger spot to the rear. B. myrsusalis has two larger fenestral spots to the costal side of the other fenestra (RTS:128) but as some specimens in the NHM (Mi7323) series do not have FW fenestrae the only reliable methodology is by genitalic examination. The fenestrae may be totally absent in both spp. Whalley (1976: 149-150), gives a key to the male sspp. based on genitalic characteristics. There are no obvious external differences. Ssp. lobata Moore, 1882b, Sikkim, Singapore, Philippines, Brunei, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Sulawesi, West Papua, PNG, New Caledonia, Australia (Q). Ssp. caesia Whalley, 1976:151. New Caledonia, Pacific Ocean Is.; similar to the nominate ssp., generally grey but with more prominent black scales on hind tibiae. The holotype from New Caledonia is in the NHM, genitalia slide # 14429. Ssp. ceylonensis Whalley, 1976:151. The holotype from Sri Lanka is in the NHM, genitalia slide # 1467. It is similar to the nominate ssp. Ssp. pityos Chu & Wang, 1991, Hainan. Ssp. 1 unnamed; Solomon Islands. B. owadai Inoue, 1976, B. ryukyuensis Inoue, 1976, not illustrated here (Inoue et al, 1982, pl. 35, fig. 36 [female paratype]; fig. 37 [male paratype]) and B. myrsusalis Walker, 1859e are very similar.

Distribution & Habitat

Hainan, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Sikkim, Assam, W. Malaysia, Singapore, Sabah, Brunei, Sarawak, Bali, Sulawesi, Philippines, PNG, Australia (Q), New Caledonia, Solomon Islands. Lowland and hill forest; <1200m.

Life History & Pest Status

A pest species feeding on Sapotaceae especially Manilkara zapota, the sapodilla plum.

Similar spp.

Note the red submarginal line and the slightly pink fringe of the HW which is also present to a lesser extent in B. myrsusalis. The tufts of scales on the hind tibiae of B.myrsusalis are generally larger than those of B. lobata and have black scales on them.