baccatella

T. baccatella Pellmyr

Adult Characteristics

Wing expanse 19.5-28 mm. Forewing white or occasionally more or less tan colored (at higher elevation), hindwing dark brownish grey. Male genitalia with aedeagus 2.6-3.0 mm long, 0.02 mm in cross section; female genitalia with posterior apophyses 7.4-8.3 mm long, small corpus bursae with signa 0.36-0.44 mm in diameter.

Comparison with similar species

Similar to many species in the yuccasella complex, but distinguished by narrow, tapering wings and dark hidwings. Genitalia are highly characteristic for identification; a diagnostic key is provided. Tan forewing coloration is some specimens is shared with the partly sympatric altiplanella and with yuccasella.

Hosts, oviposition, and larval feeding habits

The species is known from the fleshy-fruited yucca Y. baccata Yucca baccata (Y. thornberi, Y. confinis) (Pellmyr 1999). Females oviposit into flowers . Eggs are laid inside the ovary, between the wall and the ovules, often in the upper portion.The larva feeds on developing seeds. Pupation occurs in a cocoon in the soil.

Geographic distribution

All of Arizona and New Mexico, into adjacent regions of California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado, and western Texas to Presidio County.

Habitat

Typical habitat includes shrub desert, rocky hillsides, and open pine forest with outcrops. Altitudinal range 1300-2200 m.

Shrubby desert in Dona Ana Co., New Mexico, is a typical habitat of host yucca.

References


Pellmyr, O. 1999. Systematic revision of the Tegeticula yuccasella complex 
    (Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae) north of Mexico. Systematic Entomology 24:243-271.

Holotype in USNM.

About this page

Olle Pellmyr
E-mail: olle.pellmyr@vanderbilt.edu.
Dept of Biology, Vanderbilt University, Box 1812-B Nashville, TN 37235, USA

Title illustration: Tegeticula baccatella males and females (Dona Ana Co, New Mexico, and San Juan Co, Utah).