Tegeticula mojavella
Olle Pellmyr
Adult Characteristics
Wing expanse 19-24.5 mm. Forewing cream colored, hindwing light brownish gray and a distinctly darker outer section. Male genitalia with aedeagus 1.5-1.8 mm long, 0.030-0.035 mm in cross section; female genitalia with posterior apophyses 6.7-7.0 mm long, corpus bursae with signa 0.55-0.70 mm in diameter.
Comparison with Similar Species
More cream colored than other species in the complex, yet similar, but readily distinguished from other members of the complex based on genitalic characters. A diagnostic key is provided.
Host, Oviposition, and Larval Feeding Habits
The species is known from the fleshy-fruited yucca Y. schidigera. Females oviposit into flowers (Pellmyr 1999). 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
Most of the Mojave desert, from southern Nevada and desert portions in California south to the U.S.-Mexico border.
References
Pellmyr, O. 1999. Systematic revision of the Tegeticula yuccasella complex (Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae) north of Mexico. Systematic Entomology 24:243-271.
Title Illustrations
| Scientific Name | Tegeticula mojavella |
|---|---|
| Location | San Bernardino Co, California, USA |
| Specimen Condition | Dead Specimen |
| Sex | male (left), female (right) |
| Image Use |
 This media file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License - Version 3.0.
|
| Copyright |
© 1996
|
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University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
Page copyright © 1996
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Tegeticula mojavella .
Authored by
Olle Pellmyr.
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Citing this page:
Pellmyr, Olle. 1996. Tegeticula mojavella . Version 01 January 1996 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Tegeticula_mojavella/12460/1996.01.01 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
