Nisista sp. 2

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

Nisista sp. 2 (Figs 429–434)

Oviposition

1♀ Code no.: G84

Period of oviposition: 29 Sept–2 Oct.

Batch size: 60–69 (n = 2)

Realised fecundity: 129

Incubation time (days): 10–12

Batch configuration and attachment:

Attached, singly or small groups (Fig. 429).

Colour: Pale yellow, becoming pinkish orange (Fig. 429).

Size (mm): (n=10) L=0.76 ± 0.01, W=0.53 ± 0.01, T =0.44 ± 0.01

Width/length: 0.69

No. of females: 1

Aeropylar opening size (m) (n=4): L =1.01 ± 0.21, W=0.80 ± 0.19

Relative aeropylar opening size: 1.2

Micropyles: Distinct (Figs 430 & 431))

No. of openings: obscure

No. of cells in rosette: 8

No. of rows of cells in micropylar area: 3

Shape: Narrow, elongated, bluntly ovoid; anterior pole truncated, polar profile elliptical; dorso­ventrally flattened (Figs 429, 430 & 432).

Characteristics: Egg marked all over by flat, hexagonal cells (Figs 432 & 433). Cell walls generally moderately broad, elevated, double­ridged (Figs 430–432) except single ridged in middle of top of egg (Fig. 433); micropylar cell walls narrow, cells slightly recessed (Fig. 431). Aeropyles prominent, elevated, with large domes, openings very small (Fig. 431); present on all surfaces apart from middle of top of egg (Fig. 433). Chorion generally smooth, but finely, sparsely wrinkled (Figs 433 & 434).