RHAGASTIS LUNATA (Rothschild, 1900) -- Lunulate mottled hawkmoth

Male Rhagastis lunata. Photo: © NHMUK Male Rhagastis lunata. Photo: © NHMUK Male Rhagastis lunata, Thailand. Photo: © Adam Cotton

TAXONOMY

Chaerocampa [sic] lunata Rothschild, 1900, Novit. zool. 7: 274. Type locality: India, Assam [Meghalaya], Khasia Hills [Khasi Hills].

Synonyms. Chaerocampa lunata Rothschild, 1900.

Synonyms. Rhagastis lunata sikhimensis Rothschild & Jordan, 1903.

Synonyms. Rhagastis lunata gehleni Bender, 1942.

Synonyms. Rhagastis lunata yunnanaria Chu & Wang, 1980.

Synonyms. Rhagastis lunata yunnana Chu & Wang, 1983.


ADULT DESCRIPTION AND VARIATION

Wingspan: 72--86mm. Forewing upperside with a characteristic bluish-white submarginal line formed of crescent-shaped marks the horns of which are directed basally. Both wings pinkish-red, with traces of ochreous ground colour distally. Black basal area of forewing reduced to a streak or patch behind the discal cell. Hindwing upperside with a well-defined orange-beige median band extending to Rs, indented at M2, and including a series of vein dots. Labial palp segment 1 apical cavity not large but distinct; segment 2 not narrowed towards base. Antenna longer and thicker than in all other Rhagastis species except Rhagastis gloriosa (from which it differs in the lack of dark red bands on the forewing upperside); apical black scaling confined to the distal 2-6 segments. External row of spines on first protarsal segment simple, or irregularly doubled at base.

In the male genitalia, harpe similar to Rhagastis olivacea, shorter and stouter than Rhagastis gloriosa. Aedeagus similar to Rhagastis olivacea but left lobe of apical process much shorter.


ADULT BIOLOGY

Unknown.


FLIGHT-TIME

China: 12.vi (Yunnan).


EARLY STAGES

OVUM: Unknown.

LARVA: Unknown.

PUPA: Unknown.

Larval hostplants. Unknown.


PARASITOIDS

Unknown.


LOCAL DISTRIBUTION

China: Yunnan (nr. Yingjiang, Xima, 2080m; Pingbian Daweishan [Nature Reserve], 1500m; Gaoligong Shan; Changning Co., Songzhishanding, 2500m); south Xizang/Tibet (Mutu, Namjagbarwa region, 2000m (Wang, 1988); Zhangmu, 2200m).


GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION

Nepal, northeastern India, Thailand, southwestern China, Laos (Xiengkhouang Province), Vietnam.


Global distribution of Rhagastis lunata. Map: © NHMUK.

BIOGEOGRAPHICAL AFFILIATION



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© A. R. Pittaway & I. J. Kitching (Natural History Museum, London)