Oberthueria formosibia Matsumura, 1927

Zolotuhin, Vadim V. & Wang, Xing, 2013, A taxonomic review of Oberthueria Kirby, 1892 (Lepidoptera, Bombycidae: Oberthuerinae) with description of three new species, Zootaxa 3693 (4), pp. 465-478 : 472

Oberthueria formosibia Matsumura, 1927

Oberthueria formosibia Matsumura, 1927 , Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido Imperial University 19: 50, pl. 5, fig. 45. TL: “ Formosa (Horisha)” [ Taiwan]. Holotype (by monotypy): ♂ (EIHU) [examined].

Material examined. ♂, holotype of Oberthueria formosibia Matsumura, 1927 , Baibara, 22.VII 1925, Kikuchi (EIHU); 40 ♂ from different localities of Taiwan (Ilan, Taitung, Nantou, Taoyuan, Hualien, Miaoli) in MWM; 2 ♀, Ilan County, Taiwan, China, 2010. VIII. 18, 500 m, leg. Huang G.H. (HUNAU).

Description. Large species with wings rather narrow and strongly serrate, especially in the fore wings (Figs 8– 10). Ground colour chestnut brown with admixture of dark yellow colours in hind wings and sometimes a pinkish tint in the fore wing. Both wings densely suffused with ash grey scales. Pattern distinct although postmedian is vague; submarginal fascia white. Females more reddish, with shorter hind wing tails and smoother serration. Male genitalia (Fig. 24). Generally looking like other congeners, with uncus lobes curved and apically rounded; very characteristic of the species is the slenderest and long harpe and broad and curved right apical spur. Female genitalia are illustrated (Fig. 29).

Diagnosis. Large size, strongly serrate wing margin, contrasted pattern, absence of bifurcate seeing hind wing tail and slender harpe distinguish the species from other congeners. The species is endemic for Taiwan, it was recorded from the continent (Zolotuhin, 1995) but wrongly, based on external similarities of colouration and pattern. Such formosibia -similar forms from mainland China are described here as a distinct new species.

Bionomics. Seemingly a montaine species known from the altitudes of 500– 2.900 m, with two generations. Moths are on the wing in late March—early July and again in August—early October. Caterpillar feeds on the local Acer -species; it is illustrated with a cocoon and a live female on http://caterpillartaiwan.blogspot.com.

Distribution. The species is apparently endemic to Taiwan.