Mnesampela arida McQuillan

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

Mnesampela arida McQuillan (Figs 284–291)

Oviposition

1♀ Code no.: G243

Date of oviposition: 7 May 2000

Batch size: 30 (n = 1)

Realised fecundity: 30

Incubation time (days): 31 (on moistening)

Batch configuration and attachment: Attached, singly.

Colour: Pale yellow, becoming pinkish red.

Size (mm): (n=10) L=0.86 ± 0.01, W=0.72 ± 0.01, T=0.55 ± 0.01

Width/length: 0.84

No. of females: 1

Aeropylar opening size (m) (n=7): L=2.05 ± 0.09, W=1.47 ± 0.10

Relative aeropylar opening size: 2.5

Micropyles: Distinct (Figs 284 & 285)

No. of openings: 4

No. of cells in rosette: 7

No. of rows of cells in micropylar area: 4

Shape: Broad, bluntly ovoid (Figs 286 & 287); anterior pole, polar profile subcircular; dorso­ventrally flattened (Fig. 284); anterior pole angled slightly to horizontal axis (Fig. 286).

Characteristics: Egg marked all over by hexagonal cells (Figs 286 & 287). Cell walls generally moderately broad, elevated, floors convex (Figs 286–288), except concave in middle of top of egg (Figs 289–291); micropylar cell walls narrow, cells slightly recessed (Fig. 285). Cell reticulation mesh­like (Figs 286–291). Aeropyles elevated, slightly domed, openings moderately large (Fig. 291); present on all surfaces apart from middle of top of egg (Figs 286, 289 & 291). Chorion shallowly wrinkled (Fig. 290).