Mnesampela heliochrysa, Lower, 1893

Young, Catherine J., 2006, Descriptions of the eggs of some southern Australian Geometridae (Lepidoptera), Zootaxa 1287, pp. 1-294 : 1-294

Mnesampela heliochrysa Lower (Figs 297–302)

Oviposition

6♀ code no.: G37, G43, G135, G175, G179, G195.

Period of oviposition: 20 Feb.–18 Apr.

Batch size: 26.8 ± 3.5 (n = 10)

Realised fecundity 44.7 ± 12.6 (range): 20–106

Incubation time (days): 31–42 (on moistening)

Batch configuration and attachment: Attached, large groups (Fig. 297).

Colour: Light green, becoming chocolate brown then greyish­brown on maturity (Fig. 297).

Size (mm): (n=10) L=1.24 ± 0.02, W=0.92 ± 0.01, T=0.63 ± 0.01

Width/length: 0.74

No. of females: 2

Aeropylar opening size (m) (n=3): L=2.08 ± 0.30, W=1.56 ± 0.30

Relative aeropylar opening size: 1.9

Micropyles: Indistinct (Figs 298 & 300)

No. of openings: 7

No. of cells in rosette: 7

No. of rows of cells in micropylar area: 6

Shape: Moderately broad, sub­oblong; anterior pole truncated, polar profile subcircular; dorso­ventrally flattened (Figs 297, 298, 299 & 301).

Characteristics: Egg marked all over by rounded hexagonal cells (Figs 298, 299, 301 & 302). Cell walls generally moderately broad, elevated, floors flat (Fig. 302); micropylar cell walls narrow, cells slightly recessed (Fig. 300). Cell reticulation mesh­like (Figs 298, 299, 301 & 302). Aeropyles not elevated, openings small (Fig. 302); present on all surfaces apart from middle of top of egg (Fig. 301). Chorion smooth (Fig. 302).