Mustilia falcipennis Walker, 1865

Wang, Xing, Wang, Min, Zolotuhin, Vadim V., Hirowatari, Toshiya, Wu, Shipher & Huang, Guo-Hua, 2015, The fauna of the family Bombycidae sensu lato (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Bombycoidea) from Mainland China, Taiwan and Hainan Islands, Zootaxa 3989 (1), pp. 1-138 : 99

65. Mustilia falcipennis Walker, 1865 ( FIGURES 38 A–38C, 40C)

Mustilia falcipennis Walker, 1865 , List Spec. lep. Ins. Brit. Mus., 32: 581. TL: [ India] “Darjeeling”. Holotype: male (BMNH) [examined].

Diagnosis. Characterized by a forewing with the antemedial, medial and postmedial lines expanded on the costa into three spots and valva with rectangular base, abruptly narrowed apically, bearing sparse hairs.

Specimens examined. [GUANGDONG] Ruyuan County (Nanling National NR): 1 male, 25.II.2003, Guo- Hua Huang leg. (SCAU); 1 male, 29–31.III.2003, Guo-Hua Huang leg. (SCAU); [GUANGXI] Xing’an County (Mao’ershan National NR): 3 males, 1.III.2003, Min Wang & Guo-Hua Huang leg. (SCAU); 1 male, 25.VIII.2003, Guo-Hua Huang & Liu-Sheng Chen leg. (SCAU); 1 male, 13–20.VIII.2009, Min Wang & Hou-Shuai Wang leg. (SCAU); Longsheng County (Huaping National NR): 1 male, 25.V.2007, Liu-Sheng Chen & Wei Xiong leg. (SCAU); [HAINAN] Ledong County (Jianfengling National NR): 1 male, 1.VII.2003, Min Wang & Guo-Hua Huang leg. (SCAU); Lingshui County (Diaoluoshan National NR): 1 male, 25.IV.2004, Min Wang & Guo-Hua Huang leg. (SCAU); [SICHUAN] Luding County (Hailuogou National NR): 1 male, Mt. Gonggashan, 2.VIII.2003, Min Wang & Liu-Sheng Chen leg. (SCAU); 1 male, 5.VII.2004, Min Wang & Xiao-Ling Fan leg. (SCAU); 1 male, Moxi Town 15.VII.2009, Min Wang & Yang Long leg. (SCAU); Yingjing County: 1 male, Mt. Nibashan, 27.VII.2009, Guo-Hua Huang, Min Wang, Yang Long & Hou-Shuai Wang leg. (HUNAU); Wenchuang County (Wolong National NR): 2 males, Mt. Siguliangshan, 31˚09’N, 103˚20’E, July 2005, Siniaev & his team leg. (MWM); [YUNNAN] Gongshan County: 6 males, Dulongjiang River, 21.VII.2006, Min Wang & Xiao-Ling Fan leg. (SCAU); 1 male, Mt. Gongshan, 21–24.VII.2006, Min Wang & Xiao-Ling Fan leg. (SCAU); Yunlong County (Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture): 3 males, 13 km north of Caojian town, Fengshuining Mts., 2460 m, 10– 23.VI.1999, R. Brechlin leg. (MWM); 3 males, 20 km west of Dali city, 30.VIII.1998, 25˚50’N, 99˚17’E, 2570 m, local collector leg. (MWM); 2 males, 13 km north of Caojian town, Fengshuining Mts., 2460 m, 25.VIII– 8.IX.1999, R. Brechlin leg. (MWM); 14 males, 13 km north of Caojian town, Fengshuining Mts., 25˚46’N, 99˚06’E, 2460 m, 10–20.V.1999, R. Brechlin leg. (MWM); 2 males, 100 km west of Dali city, near Caojian town, 2050 m, May 1998 (MWM).

Bionomics. Symplocos lucida (Thunb., 1835) (Symplocaceae) is reported as its larval host (Robinson, 2001). The mature larva is dark brown, speckled with minute yellow dots within each of which is a short seta (Lin, 2005). Pupation is in a small cocoon of tough brown silk spun amongst leaves (Holloway, 1987).

Distribution. Mainland China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan) and Hainan, India, Nepal, Bhutan.

Remarks. This species is widely distributed in the Sino-Himalayan Region.

Figures

FIGURE 38. Adults of Mustilia spp. A. M. falcipennis, male (Nepal); B. M. falcipennis, female (Nepal); C. M. falcipennis, male (Guangdong); D. M. glabrata, male (Sichuan); E. M. glabrata, female (Thailand); F. M. castanea, male (India), holotype; G. M. castanea, male (Nepal); H. M. castanea, female (Nepal)