Tegeticula maculata explained

Tegeticula maculata is a moth of the family Prodoxidae. It is found in North America in central-southern cismontane California, in the Sierra Nevada north to Fresno County, in north-western Arizona, and from Baja California Norte to the Vizcaino region. The habitat consists of coastal chaparral and montane dry shrubby grassland.

Description

The wingspan is 16–23 mm for ssp. maculata.[1]

Ecology

The larvae feed exclusively on developing seeds of Hesperoyucca whipplei.[2] It is the sole pollinator of Hesperoyucca whipplei.

Subspecies

Notes and References

  1. http://tolweb.org/Tegeticula_maculata/12450 TOLweb
  2. The yucca moths and yucca pollination. . 1892 . Riley . CV. Third Annual Report, Missouri Botanical Garden. 3. 99–158.