Metallolophia ocellata (Warren)

Han, Galsworthy, A. & Xue, 2005, A revision of the genus Metallolophia Warren (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Geometrinae), Journal of Natural History 39 (2), pp. 165-195 : 190-191

Metallolophia ocellata (Warren)

( Figures 32–35 , 51, 64)

Terpna (?) ocellata Warren, 1897: 207 , pl. 5: 25. Holotype ♀, [ India]: Khasi Hills (BMNH).

Pseudoterpna ocellata: Hampson, 1903: 654 .

Metallolophia ocellata: Prout, 1912a: 38 ; Prout, 1932: 54.

Description

Length of fore wing: 25 mm. Frons and palpus brown. Antenna in male shortly bipectinate, length of branches a little longer than diameter of the flagellum; female antenna simple. Abdominal crests ringed with blackish and with metallic gloss in male, the crests very weak in female. Wing shape similar to that of M. arenaria (Leech) , male hind wing not narrowed, its inner margin only slightly elongate. Ground colour of wings white, with a tinge of purplish, irrorated with dark purple streaks; transverse markings brown to olive-green, forming three interrupted fasciae at the terminal area; fore wing with an inconspicuous pale band below costa. Discal spot on fore wing regular, heavily ringed black; that on the hind wing a little smaller and weaker. Fore wing with a small spot in the cell, proximal to discal spot, and a black streak below 2A near base. Underside white with purplish hue, yellow near base, markings dark purple; both wings with discal spots very dark, the white centre nearly obsolete; postmedian fascia fairly strong, running on fore wing straight from costa to M 3; subterminal band continuous, but with a whitish spot on apex and at middle on both wings and a white patch below middle of hind wing; fore wing with a small spot proximal to discal spot, and a large oval patch below it.

Male genitalia ( Figure 64 ). Socii thinner and longer than in M. arenaria (Leech) . Valva not produced at middle and quickly narrowing to apex. Terminal part of central basal lobe of valva triangular. Saccular process stick-like, thin but with tip a little expanded in shape of a foot. Male abdomen lacking setal patches on third sternite.

Female genitalia not examined.

Specimens examined

India: HOLOTYPE: ♀, Khasi Hills, September 1896, nat. coll. ( BMNH); 4 „„, West Meghalaya, Garo Hills , Nokrek , 1150 m, 2–13 July 1997, coll. Afonin and Siniaev (two in ORHANT and two in ZSM); Vietnam: 2 „„, Bach-Ma, National Park, 16 ° 99N, 107 ° 49E, 1200 m, 6 August 1996, coll. Herbulot ( ZSM).

Distribution

North-east India; southern Vietnam.

Remarks

The male of this species is described here for the first time, which makes possible comparison of this species and the following M. devecisi Herbulot. See discussion under the latter.

Figures

Figures 22–43. Adults of Metallolophia. (22, 23) M. assamensis Orhant (paratype, „, ZSM): (22) upperside, (23) underside. (24, 25) M. arenaria (Leech) (lectotype, ♀, BMNH): (24) upperside, (25) underside. (26, 27) M. arenaria (Leech) („, IZCAS): (26) upperside, (27) underside. (28, 29) M. cuneataria sp. nov. (holotype, „, IZCAS): (28) upperside, (29) underside. (30, 31) M. inanularia sp. nov. (holotype, ♀, IZCAS): (30) upperside, (31) underside. (32, 33) M. ocellata (Warren) (holotype, ♀, BMNH); (32) upperside, (33) underside. (34, 35) M. ocellata (Warren) („, ORHANT); (34) upperside, (35) underside. (36, 37) M. devecisi Herbulot (holotype, „, ZSM): (36) upperside, (37) underside.

Figures 61–64. Male genitalia. (61) M. assamensis (ORHANT G.O. 1988). (62) M. arenaria (BMNH Geom- 20966). (63) M. cuneataria sp. nov., holotype (IZCAS Geom-00100). (64) M. ocellata (ZSM). Scale bar: 1 mm.