Taxonomy

Plate 6, Fig. 194. Female holotype, 56mm. W. Malaysia, Ulu Gombak Field Station. Imaged in 'Select a Genus', Plate 6, Fig.194. Male paratype, 36mm, Fig 194a. Thailand Herdonia curiosa Inoue (1993) was described from two female specimens from W. Malaysia and Sumatra. Inoue (2001) described the male from specimens from Sumatra. These types are in the NHM (Mi7449). Inoue (1993:150, figs. 43 & 85). Comb. n. to Picrostomastis (Inoue, 2001:323). Inoue (2001:323) enigmatically notes ‘two unnamed specimens (1 male & ?1 female in the NHM close to the two species from N. Thailand’ [Herdonia or Picrostomastis?]; these specimens have not been located for certain but see Picrostomastis spp. 3 & 4.

Description

36-56mm.mm. A large pale species which rather resembles a typical Herdonia sp. especially in the patterning on the FW. It has few markings except a diagonal pale brown narrow fascia traversing the HW and continuing on the dorsum of the FW. This fascia is edged in darker brown. The HW has a thin submarginal line whch becomes less distinct towards the tornus. Inoue (2001) transferred this species from Herdonia to Picrostomastis following genitalic examination which showed that although the males of both genera have a simple aedeagus, P. curiosa has an uncus with a strongly sclerotized long narrow triangular central process bearing a large pair of hornlike processes on its dorsal sides, whereas Herdonia has a rod-like process and no paired horns.

Distribution & Habitat

Sumatra, Thailand, W. Malaysia. Lowland, hill and lower montane forest; <1800m.

Life History & Pest Status

The species shows marked sexual dimorphism in size. The female is much larger with minor differences in wing markings and has a much enlarged abdomen both in width and length.

Similar spp.

See Plates, particularly Herdonia spp.