Thalaina Walker

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

Thalaina Walker (Figs 363–383)

This genus, consisting of ten species, is widely distributed in southern Australia. T. selenaea and T. inscripta are restricted to south­eastern Australia, whereas T. angulosa is more widely spread ranging from the dry sclerophyll forests of West and South Australia to similar habitats in the east ( McQuillan 1981). The eggs of these three species are described. Thalaina eggs are superficially similar. They are broad, bluntly ovoid eggs with a sub­acute posterior pole and appear wedge­shaped laterally. The anterior pole is slightly angled to the micropylar axis. The eggs are clearly marked on all surfaces by convex, hexagonal cells with narrow, recessed walls. Aeropyles are flat with moderately small openings in inscripta and selenaea but elevated with moderately large openings in angulosa . Aeropyles are absent from the middle area of the top of the egg. The micropylar area is usually poorly defined and off­centred. The chorion is smooth with undulations. Thalaina resembles Fisera , Mnesampela , Paralaea and Plesanemma with respect to general egg shape and distribution and general size of aeropyles.