Pollanisus contrastus, Tarmann, 2004

Mollet, Bernard & Tarmann, Gerhard M., 2023, Revision of the genus Pollanisus Walker, 1854 (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae: Procridinae), Zootaxa 5281 (1), pp. 1-72 : 26

Pollanisus contrastus

Published data ( Tarmann 2004) and new localities.

Material examined ( Table 6). Larvae collected on Hibbertia scandens (Dilleniaceae) .

Paratype: 1 ♁, ( Figs 71, 78 ), New South Wales. Wollongong , 14.II.1973, V. J. Robinson & R. Badans leg. ( ANIC) .

New South Wales. 1 ♁ (969) ( Figs 74, 81 ), 5 ♁, N. Hastings Point , 28°20′23.4′′S, 153°34′20.0′′E, 10 m, e. l., 17.II.2013, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC) ; Queensland. 1 ♁ ( Figs 75, 82 ), Macleay Island , 27°36′S, 153°31′E, 11.X.1998, D. P. A. Sands leg. ( ANIC) ; 1 ♁ (831) ( Figs 72, 79 ), 3 ♁, Joseph Banks Conservation Area, Seventeen Seventy , 24°09′S, 151°53′E, 4.XI.2007, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC) ; 1 ♁ (832) ( Figs 73, 80 ), 1 ♁, Eurimbula N. P., 24°09′S, 151°46′E, e. l., 12.XI.2007, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC) ; 1 ♁, Wallaman Falls N. P., Campground , 18°36′01.1′′S, 145°47′57.9′′E, 547 m, 13.XI.2011, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC) ; 2 ♁, Mt Wallham , 17°15′46.9′′S, 145°23′37.7′′E, 1289 m, 20.XI.2011, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC) .

Discussion and differential diagnosis. Pollanisus contrastus consists of populations with variable characters such as proboscis, colour, length of antennal pectinations and wing features ( Tarmann 2004). In addition to the type series and based on some of the above mentioned characters, two groups were separated Pollanisus . cf. contrastus 1 and Pollanisus . cf. contrastus 2 ( Tarmann 2004).

Despite these morphological variations, populations from north New South Wales to north Queensland show constant head ratio data. The habitus of Pollanisus contrastus is similar to those of P. commoni , P. horakae , P. yugambeh , P. trimacula (without ochreous spots), P. kalliesi (without ochreous spots), P. subdolosa , P. jirrbal , P. incertus and P. worimi (without ochreous spots).

P. contrastus shares the same head ratio data with P. yugambeh but the latter has narrower wings and its host plant is different. P. contrastus also shares the same head ratio data with P. kalliesi (without ochreous spots) but the latter is localized at the top of Barrington Tops in New South Wales. The other species with similar habitus have different head ratio data ( Table 17 ).

Phenology and bionomics. Intensive search for larvae on Hibbertia scandens ( Figs 85, 86 ) made it possible to collect and breed several populations that belong to P. contrastus . The larvae ( Figs 87, 88 ) can easily be observed on the underside of the leaves. The size of the last instar is about 8 to 9 mm with a variable appearance and cannot be distinguished from the other species feeding on H. scandens . It is mainly a day active species, with the adults staying around their larval host plants.

H. scandens can be found in rain forest, as well as on sand dunes along the coast. In forest it is a vine climber reaching the top of trees and in open areas it can take support on small bushes or creeps on the ground.

The recent collecting data increase our knowledge of the northern distribution of P. contrastus and show that this species occurs much further to the North than thought earlier ( Fig. 89 ).

Figures

FIGURE 89. Hibbertia scandens. Pollanisus contrastus. P. species 3. P. species 6

FIGURES 71–84. Pollanisus species, upperside and frontal view. 71–75, 78–82. P. contrastus. 71, 78. Paratype, Wollongong; 72, 79. Seventeen Seventy; 73, 80. Eurimbula N. P.; 74, 81. Hastings Point; 75, 82. Macleay Island. P. species 3. 76, 83. Palm Island. P.species 6. 77, 84. Evelyn Scrub. (scale bars: 1 mm).

FIGURES 85, 86. Hibbertia scandens. Larval host plant. 85. Flower. 86. Climbing on a tree.

FIGURES 87, 88. Pollanisus contrastus. larvae at seventh instar (length 8-9 mm) from Hastings Point.