Parategeticula pollenifera

Parategeticula pollenifera is a moth of the family Prodoxidae. It is found in pine-oak forests in south-western Arizona, south-western New Mexico and Veracruz (in Mexico).

Parategeticula pollenifera
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Prodoxidae
Genus: Parategeticula
Species:
P. pollenifera
Binomial name
Parategeticula pollenifera
Davis, 1967

The wingspan is 24–31 mm. Adults have relatively broad forewings with off-white and occasional dark scales. Females possess similar maxillary tentacles which are used to pick up pollen and to actively pollinate host flowers.[1]

The larvae feed on Yucca schottii and Yucca elephantipes. Young larvae bore into the young fruit of their host plant and create a gall that replaces several seeds. When fully grown, they burrow into the soil, where pupation takes place. The larval diapause can last for at least two years.

References edit