maderae

T. maderae Pellmyr

Adult Characteristics

Wing expanse 15-21.5 mm. Forewing white, hindwing brownish gray alonf front edge, whiter in back portion. Male genitalia with aedeagus 1.70-1.95 mm long, 0.025-0.030 mm in cross section; female genitalia with posterior apophyses 6.2-7.3 mm long, corpus bursae with signa 0.6-0.8 mm in diameter.

Comparison with similar species

A smallish species, similar in forewing coloration to other members of the yuccasella complex, but readily distinguished from other members of the complex based on genitalic characters. A diagnostic key is provided.

Hosts, oviposition, and larval feeding habits

The species is known from the fleshy-fruited yucca Y. schottii. Females oviposit into flowers (Davis 1967, Powell 1984). Eggs are laid inside the ovary, between the wall and the ovules, generally in the upper portion.The larva feeds on developing seeds. Pupation occurs in a cocoon in the soil.

Geographic distribution

So far only documented from the southern "sky islands" of SE Arizona.

Habitat

Characteristic habitat is pine-oak forest. Altitudinal range 1400-2100 m.

References:

Davis, D.R. 1967. A revision of the moths of the subfamily  Prodoxinae 
          (Lepidoptera: Incurvariidae). U.S. Nat. Hist. Mus., 
          Bull.  255:1-170.
Powell, J.A. 1984. Biological interrelationships of moths and 
          Yucca schottii.  Univ. Calif. Publ. Entomol. 100:1-93.

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 maderae male and female (Santa Cruz and Cochise Cos, Arizona).