phylloryctus

P. phylloryctus Wagner & Powell

Adult Characteristics

Wing expanse 9-13 mm. Dorsum dark brown. Forewing mostly dark brown with numerous white bands and patches, creating a checkerspot appearance. Hindwings light to medium gray.

Comparison with similar species

Very similar to Prodoxus coloradensis, with which it coexists. Adults lack white scales on the dorsum (present in coloradensis), forewing scales are parallel-sided (as opposed to ovate), and the dorsoventral vincular lobes in the male genitalia tend to be rounded (rather than quadrate).

Host, oviposition, and larval feeding habits

Known only from Yucca baccata (Agavaceae). This is the only known leaf-feeding Prodoxus species. Oviposition has not been observed, but scars have only been found on the leaf underside. Larvae feed singly or, more commonly, communally in mines parallel with the leaf surface. Communal mines appear as blotches on the leaf surface. Pupation occurs in a cocoon insided the larval gallery, and adults emerge through either leaf surface. The adults emerged about two weeks after coexisting P. coloradensis in a lab culture (Wagner & Powell 1988).

Fungus-infected leaf surface with many exitholes and opercula of P. phylloryctus; picture on right shows protruding pupal exuviae; San Juan Co., Colorado, USA.

Geographic distribution

So far only known from the type locality in Dove Creek, southwestern Colorado, USA.

Habitat

In open oak-pine forest with Yucca baccata.

Characteristic habitat with Y. baccata; San Juan Co., Colorado, USA.

References

Wagner, D.L. & J.A. Powell. 1988. A new Prodoxus from Yucca 
         baccata: first report of a leaf-mining prodoxine (Lepidoptera: 
         Prodoxidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 81:547-553.

Holotype in UCB.

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 and female from type series, San Juan Co., Colorado, USA.
Slide courtesy of David Wagner, © D.L. Wagner.