Taxonomy

Holotype, SW Sumatra, Dairi-E; N. Korintji Valley. Plate 8, Fig. 237. The female is figured as M. capillatus 237 (a) in Plate 8. The holotype of Monodecus capillatus Whalley, 1976 is in the NHM (Mi7331) genitalia slide #14489. Whalley (1976:187, fig’d) originally described it as a ssp. of M. admirandus, but it has been re-erected as a good sp. Stat. n. (RTS:129).

Description

28-34mm. The species is markedly sexually dimorphic but less so on the Un which is pale brown with yellow markings. The female (M. capillatus (a)) is medium sized, a rich red-brown, with a coarse thyridid reticulation picked out in orange and greyish. This is very similar to M. admirandus, but it has rather more distinct fenestrae. The FW & HW fringe is greyish orange. The male is more yellow-brown with patches of paler reticulation in the centre of the HW and post-medially on the FW.

Distribution & Habitat

Sumatra, W. Malaysia, Sabah. Lower montane to subalpine forest; 800-2200m (mainly above 1500m).

Life History & Pest Status

No information

Similar spp.

The FW of M. capillatus has a distinct large fenestra which may be ‘T’ shaped but the fenestrae number and distribution is very variable in both sexes. It can be distinguished from M. admirandus by the long fine cilia between the facets of the eyes (RTS:129).