Taxonomy

Holotype; India, Khassis [Meghalaya]. The holotytype of Banisia taeniata from India, [Meghalaya] is in the NHM (Mi7404). Ms. comb. n. (Shaffer,1992 LepIndex).

Description

42mm. The wing pattern is a complex series of dark brown bandings and lines on a paler background with typical thyridid reticulation. It can be confused with M. tetragonata but the species can be distinguished by the shape of the sub-basal and the ante-median fasciae (RTS: 135-136). In tetragonata these are fairly straight but in taeniata they are irregular and the ante-median fascia has a pronounced 'beak'. Some specimens have very marked chocolate brown rectangular spots bordered by similar pale areas. When present these are characteristic of the males. Neither the dark nor pale areas are present in females.

Distribution & Habitat

Assam, Sikkim, Vietnam, Thailand. Lowland to lower montane forest and disturbed areas; <1450m.

Life History & Pest Status

No information

Similar Spp.

See Plates