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Tegeticula intermedia draft sections

Food resources

Caterpillar

Larvae feed on yucca seeds within the fruit. Since there is an abundance of seeds within the fruit, the larva does not impinge too heavily upon the health of the yucca plant. These seeds are the only known food source to the yucca moth larvae. The larvae of T. intermedia that are oviposited superficially burrow in the ovary wall and then commence feeding upon seeds. They then escape from the flower, falling to the ground to burrow and cocoon.

Adult

Adults have such short lifespans that they do not need to eat to achieve their reproductive goals. Although they do have mouth parts or tentacles, these are used for collecting pollen than for feeding.

Parental care

Oviposition

Although most yucca moths deposit their eggs in the ovule of the flower, Tegeticula employs different methods of laying eggs. T. intermedia employs superficial oviposition which means the yucca moth lays its eggs very slightly beneath the plant tissue so as not to damage the yucca ovule. This strategy allows the moth to bypass the yucca plant's regulation of the number of eggs it hosts, leading to exploitation of the plant.

Life history

Yucca moths mate in the spring when the yucca flowers are in bloom. They then mate on the yucca flower, usually in the evening since the flower will be open. Then, the female moth will lay eggs in the flower. T. intermedia is unique in that it will superficially oviposit eggs so as to deceive the yucca plant. Once laid, the larvae will hatch quickly in only a few days time. During early instars the larvae feed inside the fruit on the developing seeds. Later in their development, the matured instars leave the fruit, preferably after a rain storm or during wet conditions to make escape easier. The larvae fall to the ground, burying themselves in a cocoon one to two dozen centimeters below ground during pupation. The adult moths will emerge in the following spring to restart the life cycle.

Genetic hybridization

T. intermedia has successfully been able to a similar moth, Tegeticula cassandra. Both have incredibly similar superficial ovipositor and aedeagus physiology. However, T. intermedia has not been found to have hybridized with any species with a locule ovipositor. Research suggests that it is thus the similarity in ovipositor that allows two different species to hybridize.

Protective behavior

T. intermedia is a predominantly white colored insect. Mild color variation occurs in different regions. The white color allows the moth to blend in with the yucca flower, shielding it from predators.