Taxonomy

Ssp. taprobana; Siam [Thailand], Bangkok. Ssp.1, unnamed; Sulawesi, Paloe. The holotype of Varnia taprobana Moore, 1884:7 from Sri Lanka is in the NHM (Mi7279), genitalia slide #12713. It was once considered synonymous with D. miniata but Shaffer considered this a good species. Ms. sp. rev. (Shaffer, 1984 LepIndex).

Description

26-28mm. This is a dull reddish purple-brown species with narrow darker purplish post median fasciae, that on the FW forking towards the darker costa. There is also a thin line delineating the darker FW apex. Two small round fenestrae are present on the HW. The following subspecies are noted: Ssp. taprobana; Sri Lanka, S. & NE India, Bangladesh, Thailand. Brighter reddish purple with some contrasting red and yellowish areas; Ssp. 1, unnamed, Sulawesi, Paloe. A duller purple-brown than the nominate ssp.; Ssp. 2, unnamed; Vietnam.

Distribution & Habitat

‘Hindustan’, Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Sulawesi. Lowland and hill forest; <990m.

Life History & Pest Status

No information

Similar spp.

See Dysodia sp. 5 which may be a Bornean variety of this species.