Rachiplusia, Hampson, 1913

Rachiplusia View in CoL nu

The eggs of R. nu also are laid individually by moths on their host plants. They are bright yellow-white, sub-spherical, with a flat and smooth base ( Fig. 3A View Figure 3 ). The diameter of the egg ranges from 544 µm to 620 µm. The rosette is delineated in an area with inconspicuous sculpturing, losing connection with the radial ribs. The number of micropyles varies from three to four. The micropylar region is slightly depressed. The micropylar rosette consists of seven to eight petals that fuse at the base and cover an approximate diameter of 45 µm ( Fig.3B View Figure 3 ). This rosette could be surrounded by two, three, or four almost concentric rosettes (secondary, tertiary, and quaternary). The petals of the rosette (composed of secondary, tertiary, and quaternary cells) are not evenly distributed in a concentric pattern; they may overlap, be unevenly arranged, or be absent. All petals have rounded distal margins gradually increasing in size towards the outer edge; the outer edge of the petals of the third rosette is not always evident. Tertiary or quaternary cells may have an incomplete distal edge and a rounded distal margin. The lateral regions of the eggs have fairly flat radial ribs, consisting of primary ribs, secondary ribs, and cross-ribs, the latter being less conspicuous. The number of ribs ranges from 36 to 38 and the primary ribs (n=12-13) reach the micropylar area ( Figs. 3A and 3B View Figure 3 ). The aeropyles are present at the junction points of the ribs and cross-ribs and can often be found in pairs ( Fig. 3C View Figure 3 ). Aeropyles (0.5-1.2 µm) can also be found on the primary ribs near the outer edge of the rosette petals, solitary or in pairs ( Fig. 3B View Figure 3 ). The texture of the chorion surface, observed at a magnification of 12,000x, is rough and resembles a fabric texture, similar to a wool yarn ( Fig. 3D View Figure 3 ).