Biston contectaria (Walker, 1863)

Jiang, Nan, Xue, Dayong & Han, Hongxiang, 2011, A review of Biston Leach, 1815 (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae) from China, with description of one new species, ZooKeys 139, pp. 45-96 : 60-61

Biston contectaria (Walker, 1863) Figs 25, 2677104

Amphidasis contectaria Walker, 1863, List Specimens lepid. Insects Colln Br. Mus., 26: 1529. Holotype ♀, India. (BMNH)

Biston ( Cusiala ) bengaliaria f. contectaria: Hampson, 1895, Fauna Br. India (Moths), 3: 248.

Biston contectaria : Yazaki, 1992, in Haruta, Tinea, 13 (Suppl. 2): 33.

Diagnosis.

The external characters of this species are close to those of Biston suppressaria and Biston inouei Holloway, 1994 (Borneo), but it can be distinguished from those species by the following differences: this species (length of forewing: 27-28 mm in male) is larger than Biston suppressaria and smaller than Biston inouei ; the protrusion between M1 and M3 of the forewing postmedial line is relatively acute, but blunt or bilobed in Biston suppressaria and Biston inouei ; the hindwing basal line is more distinct in Biston contectaria and Biston inouei ; the projection between M1 and M3 of the the hindwing postmedial line is relatively acute in Biston contectaria and Biston suppressaria , but blunt in Biston inouei . In the male genitalia, the apex of the uncus is broader than that of Biston suppressaria and Biston inouei , and is almost not bifurcated; the median process of the gnathos is shorter and round distally, whereas it is longer and pointed in Biston suppressaria and Biston inouei ; the costa and the ventral margin of the valva are curved, while those of Biston suppressaria and Biston inouei are less curved or even incurved or concavely curved; the costa is expanded and has dense setae basally, while it is straight in Biston suppressaria and Biston inouei ; the juxta is shorter and less pointed apically.

Material examineds.

CHINA, Yunnan (IZCAS):Yunxian, Xingfuzhen, 103 m, 2.VIII.1980, coll. Yang Tianshou, 1♂; Tengchong, Dahaoping, 2020 m, 24-26.V.1992, coll. Xue Dayong, 6♂; Tengchong, Heinitang, 1930 m, 28-30.V.1992, coll. Xue Dayong, 1♂; Dulongjiang, 1500 m, 29.V.2006, coll. Xiao Ningnian, 1♂. More material from several parts of Yunnan in coll. ZFMK.

Distribution.

China (Yunnan), India, Nepal.