Mangina argus (Kollar, [1844])

Kollar, V. ([1844]). Lepidoptera. In: Kollar, V. & Redtenbacher, L., Aufzaehlung
und Beschreibung der von Freiherrn Carl v. Huegel auf seiner Reise durch
Kaschmir und das Himaleyagebirge gesammelten Insecten. In: Huegel, C. von,
Kaschmir und das Reich der Siek, vol. 4 (2): pp. 467-468, pl. XXI, fig. 3.
Described as Euprepia? argus. Translated from the Latin and German original.

V. Euprepia? argus. Kllr. Tab. XXI. Fig. 3.

All wings reddish: the fore wings with numerous bluish ocelli pupilled with
black, the hind wings spotted with black; abdomen reddish, spotted with black in
six rows. -- Expanse of wings 2 inches.

Habitat in the Himalaya, Massuri.

Related to Bombyx Pylotis Fabr., but still more to his Bomb. Crotalariae. -- All
wings red-ochre coloured, the fore wings beset with many black eye-spots edged
with bluish, which stand in irregular transverse rows; the hind wings merely
with several larger black spots without definite order. The underside of all
wings carries merely larger black spots on a red ground. The rest of the body
likewise reddish, the head with one, the collar with two black points edged with
bluish, likewise on each shoulder-cover such a point. -- On the abdomen there
are 6 rows of simple black points, namely one on the back, two on each side, and
one on the belly. -- Antennae and feet brown.

Freiherr v. Huegel brought two specimens from Massuri in the Himalaya.

Hampson, G. F. (1894). The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma.
Moths, vol. 2: p. 51, as Argina argus.

1273. Argina argus, Koll. Hugel's Kaschmir, iv, p. 467, pl. 21, fig. 3; Moore,
Lep. Ceyl. ii, pl. 105, figs. 1 a, b, c (larva); C. & S. no. 741.

Head, thorax, and fore wing scarlet or brownish red; two black yellow-ringed
spots on collar, two on tegulae, and three on thorax; the collar outlined with
brilliant scarlet; abdomen scarlet, with dorsal, ventral, and two paired lateral
series of black spots. Fore wing with six transverse series of yellow-ringed
black spots, each series curved, irregularly disposed and variable as to size
and number, the postmedial series bifurcating towards the costa. Hind wing
scarlet, with one black spot at end of cell, another at origin of vein 2,
another at its middle, and a submarginal series; a few small spots on margin,
all these being somewhat variable.

Larva purple-black, with a few dorsal hairs; head and a lateral line from 4th to
10th somites reddish; a dorsal series of transverse white streaks.

Hab. Throughout India, Ceylon, and Burma. Exp., male 55, female 64 millim.

Seitz, A. (1910). Argina. In: Seitz, A. (ed.), The Macrolepidoptera of the
World, vol. 2, The Palaearctic Bombyces and Sphinges: p. 74, pl. 13 l (German
edition: Die Gross-Schmetterlinge der Erde 2: 74). As Argina argus.

A. argus Koll. (13 l). Head, thorax and forewing bright greyish red, the
forewing bearing numerous light rings and oval spots with black centres, which
are all arranged in rows, but stand isolated. Abdomen and hindwing purple-pink,
the latter with several black spots varying in size and number. From Kashmir
throughout India and the Himalayas to Ceylon and Burma. -- Larva similar to that
of cribraria, also dark grey, lighter dorsally, but with yellow dorsal stripe
and broad white interrupted lateral line bordered with red raised dots. Head and
legs reddish brown. On Crotalaria and other plants. Pupa more elongate and
pointed than that of cribraria, light reddish brown, with blackish markings. The
moths settle on the underside of leaves, and may be beaten from the bushes
overhanging the mountain-paths, but are not nearly as easy to catch as
cribraria.

Seitz, A. (1915). Argina. In: Seitz, A. (ed.), The Macrolepidoptera of the
World, vol. 10, The Indo-Australian Bombyces and Sphinges: p. 264, pl. 26 e
(German edition: Die Gross-Schmetterlinge der Erde 10: 264). As Argina argus.

A. argus Koll. (26 e) is distributed over the whole of India, from the
palearctic frontier to Ceylon and Burma, and has been dealt with at large in
Vol. II, p. 74; compare also what has been stated thereabout the larva and pupa.
Common.