Melitulias graphicata Walker, 1861

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

Melitulias graphicata Walker (Figs 711–716)

Oviposition

7♀ code nos.: G102, G103, G104, G118, G119, G120, G122.

Oviposition period: 6–9 Dec.

Batch size: 24.4 ± 74.5 range: 3–55; (n = 16)

Mean realised fecundity: 54.9 ± 18.9 (range): 13–153 (n=7)

Incubation time (days): 12

Batch configuration and attachment: Loosely attached, singly.

Colour: Cream, becoming dark yellow to apricot then grey on maturity.

Size (mm) (n=22): L = 0.73 ± 0.01, W = 0.59 ± 0.01, T = 0.53 ± 0.01.

Width/length: 0.78

No. of females: 3

Aeropylar opening size (m) (n=8): L = 4.00 ± 0.08, W = 3.53 ± 0.14.

Relative aeropylar opening size: 6.1

Micropyles: Distinct (Figs 711 & 712)

No. of openings: 5

No. of cells in rosette: 9

No. of rows of cells in micropylar area: 2

Shape: Moderately broad, sub­elliptical, anterior pole slightly truncated, dorsoventrally flattened (Figs 711 & 713).

Characteristics: Egg marked on all surfaces by concave, hexagonal cells with moderately broad, rounded walls (Figs 711–716). Aeropyles moderately large, domed, openings large (Figs 711–715), absent from the middle of the top wide lateral side. Rosette cells recessed; micropylar cell walls overlain by very narrow, shallow reticulum (Fig. 712). Chorion smooth, shallowly pitted (Figs 714–716).