Melanodes anthracitaria Guenée

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

Melanodes anthracitaria Guenée (Figs 235–243)

(type species)

Oviposition

1♀ Code no.: G395

Period of oviposition: 27, 29 Oct.

Batch size: 5–40 (n = 2)

Realised fecundity: 45

Note: McFarland (1988) reported 211 eggs from one female.

Incubation time (days): 10–11

Batch configuration and attachment: Attached, in large groups.

Colour: Pale green, becoming pale pink with reddish­brown blotches to pale green with dark brown blotches (Fig. 235).

Size (mm): (n=10) L =0.94 ± 0.01, W =0.71 ± 0.01, T=0.59 ± 0.01

Width/length: 0.75

No. of females: 1

Aeropylar opening size (m) (n=7): L=1.56 ± 0.08, W=1.36 ± 0.08

Relative aeropylar opening size: 1.7

Micropyles: Distinct (Figs 236 & 237)

No. of openings: 6

No. of cells in rosette: 12

No. of rows of cells in micropylar area: 6

Shape: Moderately broad, sub­elliptical; anterior pole slightly truncated, polar profile sub­circular; dorso­ventrally flattened (Figs 235, 236, 238 & 239).

Characteristics: Egg marked all over by sub­rectangular cells (Figs 236, 238 & 239) except only faintly discernible on posterior pole (Fig 238 & 240); loosely arranged in longitudinal rows (Figs 236, 238 & 239). Cell walls generally moderately broad, elevated (Figs 240 & 243), forming a mesh­like reticulum over egg (Figs 236, 238 & 239), floors flat (Figs 241–243); micropylar cell walls narrow, slightly elevated (Fig. 237). Aeropyles slightly elevated, openings small, present on anterior pole (Fig. 236), narrow lateral sides only (Fig. 242). Chorion smooth (Figs 241–243).