ochrocarus

P. ochrocarus Davis

Adult Characteristics

Wing expanse 10-12.5 mm. Head densely covered with yellowish hairs. Forewing dark brown, with about 5 yellowish white spots on the basal two thirds of the wing. Hindwings uniform, lighter brown than forewing.

Comparison with similar species

The yellow head distinguishes this species from all other Prodoxus except some Prodoxus intricatus, although most intricatus have more reddish-brown hairs. It also differs from the latter in being smaller, with white, and usually fewer, spots. The female has a pair of stellate signa, which have been lost in intricatus.

Host, oviposition, and larval feeding habits

Only on Yucca schottii (Agavaceae). Larva bores in the floral rachis.

Geographic distribution

Known only from the isolated populations of the host in southeastern Arizona.

Habitat

In dry oak-pine forest with Yucca schottii.

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. Smiths. Contrib. Zool. 524:1-88.
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: pellmyr@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu.
Dept of Biology, Vanderbilt University, Box 1812-B Nashville, TN 37235, USA

Title illustration: Male, Cochise Co., Arizona.