Typical mallee habitat for S. discalis on Eyre Peninsula
The small dark herby plants in the foreground are Gahnia lanigera hostplants.
Egg 2.2x0.9 mm with 12 longitudinal ridges (left)
Newly emerged first instar larva (right)
The abdomen and ovipositor are being forced down into the ground along the side of the plant stem to lay the egg.
Top larva is immature 9 mm ex S. breviculmis.
The lower pink larva is mature 21 mm ex G. lanigera.
Both from Southeast Region
Closeup of mature pink larva showing the head and large front prothoracic plate used for burrowing
Mature greenish larva 20 mm ex G. lanigera
from Eyre Peninsula
Lower image shows toughened dorsal elliptical patches possibly used for gripping or compacting inside the burrows. The abdominal legs are rudimentary and generally unsuitable for traction.
All photography by R. Grund unless stated otherwise.
