synthetica

T. synthetica Riley

Adult Characteristics

Wing expanse 17-21 mm. Forewings black, with occasional lighter scales scattered on the wing, and occasional clustering to form a diffuse discal spot. Hindwings of the same color, but very lightly scaled so that wings can be hyaline.

Comparison with similar species

The species is very distinctive, but could conceivably be mistaken for the larger T. maculata extranea on Yucca whipplei. The abdomen is dorsally flattened in synthetica, and the female has a triangular seventh tergite. Examination of the genitalia provide definitive identification for both sexes.

Host, oviposition, and larval feeding habits

Feeds exclusively on Yucca brevifolia, the Joshua Tree (Agavaceae). The female oviposits into flowers, and the larva feeds on developing seeds. Pupation occurs in a cocoon in the soil.

Female resting during daytime inside a (closed) host flower.

Geographic distribution

Congruent with the range of its host. In the northern two thirds of the Mojave desert, in southern Nevada, southeastern California, and extreme southwestern Utah to northwestern Arizona.

Habitat

In desert with Yucca brevifolia. .

Characteristic habitat; San Bernardino Co., California.

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.

Lectotype 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