Chlenias, Guenee, 1857

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

Chlenias ‘ zonaea ’ Guest (Figs 170–175)

Oviposition

9♀ Code nos.: G26, G78, G151, G166, G168, G172, G182, G355, G411.

Period of oviposition: 22 Feb.–28 Apr.

Batch size: 39.0 ± 7.3 (n = 12)

Mean realised fecundity: 52.1 ± 11.4

Incubation time (days): 29–58

Note: eggs require moistening when laid late in season e.g. April

Batch configuration and attachment:

Moderately well attached, in small to large groups or clusters (Fig. 170)

Colour: Pale green, shiny, anterior end appears milky­white due to concentration of aeropyles, becoming brown (Fig. 170).

Size (mm): (n=20) L =0.88 ± 0.02, W=0.62 ± 0.01, T=0.51 ± 0.01

Width/length: 0.71

No. of females: 3

Aeropylar opening size (m) (n=5): L=2.7 ± 0.21, W=1.8 ± 0.20

Relative aeropylar opening size: 3.8

Micropyles:Distinct (Figs 171 & 172)

No. of openings: 6

No. of cells in rosette: 10

No. of rows of cells in micropylar area: 3

Shape: Narrow, elongated, sub­ellipsoid, anterior pole slightly truncated, slightly wider than posterior, polar profile sub­circular, dorso­ventrally flattened (Figs 171 & 173).

Characteristics: Egg marked all over by densely distributed hexagonal cells with flat floors. Cell walls moderately broad, slightly elevated except narrowly reticulated in micropylar area (Figs 171 & 173). Aeropyles slightly elevated, openings moderately large, present on and in area adjacent to anterior pole and on posterior pole (Figs 171 & 174). Chorion appears rough due to densely distributed granulations or blisters (Figs 174 & 175). Anterior pole slightly angled to micropylar axis (Fig. 173).