Banisia fenestrifera Walker

Taxonomy

W. Malaysia, GTE. The holotype of Banisia fenestrifera Walker, [1863] 1864:78 is from Sarawak and is in OUMNH (Whalley, 1974a; pl. 2 fig. P, Whalley, 1976:168-172).

Synonyms:

• Banisia astra Chu & Wang, 1991 is from China (Hainan) (Chu & Wang, 1991: 338, 345, pl. 2, fig 17);
  • syn. astro orig. [Eng ] misspel.
• ms stat. n. as a ssp. of fenestrifera (Shaffer, 1991 LepIndex).
• Trophoessa daphoena (Turner, 1911:99) TL Australia (Kuranda.);
  • stat. n. as a ssp. of B. fenestrifera (Whalley 1976:171).
• Vernifilia hyalipuncta Schultze (1907:364);
  • syn. n. Whalley (1964:117).
• Banisia fenistrifera[sic] Walker; (Whalley, 1964:17).
  • Subs. misspel. (Whalley, 1974:169).

Nec Phalaena noctua myrtacea Drury, 1873: pl. 2, fig. 3; auct. misident.

Description

A bright orange-brown medium sized species with short black strigiform markings. In the middle of the FW there is usually a cluster of white and yellowish fenestrae. These marks are variable and may be absent or there can be be up to three equal or unequal white fenestrae and/or some associated small yellowish spots. Specimens from India tend to be more yellow with a better developed reticulate pattern (RTS:129). Note the abdominal brush organs and the large tufts of scales on the hind femurs of the males. The female has a triple frenulum and could be mistaken for Monodecus capillatus Whalley but that has scalloped edges to its wings.

Similar Species

There are several sspp. mainly based on small genitalic differences. Whalley (1976: 168) gives a key to the males.

• Ssp. astra Chu & Wang, 1991 China.
• Ssp. daphoena Turner, 1911 Australia.
• Ssp. fenestrifera Walker, [1863] 1864 Thailand, Vietnam, Sumatra, W. Malaysia, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, Kalimantan, Bali, Sulawesi.
• Ssp. omissina Whalley (1976:). Sulawesi. Larger, fenestrae reduced.
• Ssp. triferina Whalley(1976), N.E. India. Ssp. 1 (unnamed), Andaman Is.

Life History

The larvae feed on leaves of Palaquium gutta (Sapotaceae), gutta-percha.