Asota kinabaluensis is a species of noctuoid moth in the family Erebidae first described by Walter Rothschild in 1896. It appears to have no close relatives in the genus Asota.

Asota kinabaluensis
Trusmadi area, hill mixed dipterocarp forest
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Asota
Species:
A. kinabaluensis
Binomial name
Asota kinabaluensis

Characteristics

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The wingspan is 62–64 mm. The forewing pattern is very distinctive with the patchy, very dark brownish-gray and white colors. The abdominal segments have complete black rings. The male antennae are the most strongly bipectinate in the Asota genus. The aedeagus vesica bears a massive tuft of numerous fine spines.

Distribution and habitat

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The species is endemic to Borneo. The first specimens were collected from Mount Kinabalu after which the species was named. A. kinabaluensis prefers upper montane forests, but can be found also in hill forests ranging from 1000 to 2600 m.

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  • Holloway, Jeremy Daniel. "Asota kinabaluensis Rothschild". The Moths of Borneo. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  • Zwier, Jaap. "Asota kinabaluensis Rothschild 1896". Aganainae (Snouted Tigers). Retrieved August 5, 2019.