Maliattha signifera is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae first described by Francis Walker in 1858. It is found in south-east Asia, including China, India, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Thailand as well as in Australia (Queensland).[2]

Maliattha signifera
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Maliattha
Species:
M. signifera
Binomial name
Maliattha signifera
(Walker, [1858])[1]
Synonyms
  • Acontia signifera Walker, [1858]
  • Acontia subfixa Walker, 1866
  • Maliattha signifera rufigrisea Warren, 1913
  • Maliattha basitincta Warren, 1913
  • Lithacodia signifera (Walker)

Description

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The wingspan is 15–18 mm.[3] Antennae of male minutely ciliated. In male, head, thorax and abdomen ochreous white. Abdomen has two dorsal black tufts. Forewings with ochreous white basal and costal areas, with a slight fuscous tinge. The outer area, which extends from the apex to center of inner margin, dark purplish fuscous and crossed by the irregularly-waved whitish postmedial line, which becomes pure white towards inner margin. A diffused dark somewhat dentate submarginal line and a marginal series of short dark strigae present. Hindwings are pale fuscous. Ventral side of forewings fuscous, with pinkish ochreous costal and outer areas. Ventral side of hindwings pinkish ochreous, with cell spot and curved postmedial line.[4]

In female, body more suffused with fuscous. Forewings with outer pinkish area in tone. There are two prominent white lunules present on postmedial line above inner margin. Hindwings dark fuscous, with ochreous outer margin and cilia.[5]

Ecology

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Spherical eggs are translucent white, which are laid in a regular hexagonal array.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Australian Faunal Directory
  2. ^ De Prins, J. & De Prins, W. (2018). "Maliattha signifera (Walker, 1857)". Afromoths. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  3. ^ "Maliattha signifera (Walker, [1858])". Butterfly House. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  4. ^ Hampson, G. F. (1894). The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma: Moths Volume II. Taylor and Francis – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  5. ^ "臺灣物種名錄編號: 346454". 數位典藏與數位學習國家型科技計畫 / 台灣生物多樣性資訊入口網 / 中央研究院生物多樣性研究中心 版權所有. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  6. ^ "ヒメネジロコヤガ Maliattha signifera". Digital Moths of Japan. Retrieved 5 August 2016.