Tegeticula baccatella
Olle Pellmyr
Adult Characteristics
Wing expanse 19.5-28 mm. Forewing white or occasionally more or less tan colored (at higher elevation), hindwing dark brownish grey. Male genitalia with aedeagus 2.6-3.0 mm long, 0.02 mm in cross section; female genitalia with posterior apophyses 7.4-8.3 mm long, small corpus bursae with signa 0.36-0.44 mm in diameter.
Comparison with Similar Species
Similar to many species in the yuccasella complex, but distinguished by narrow, tapering wings and dark hidwings. Genitalia are highly characteristic for identification; a diagnostic key is provided. Tan forewing coloration is some specimens is shared with the partly sympatric altiplanella and with yuccasella.
Host, Oviposition, and Larval Feeding Habits
The species is known from the fleshy-fruited yucca Y. baccata Yucca baccata (Y. thornberi, Y. confinis) (Pellmyr 1999). Females oviposit into flowers . Eggs are laid inside the ovary, between the wall and the ovules, often in the upper portion.The larva feeds on developing seeds. Pupation occurs in a cocoon in the soil.
Geographic Distribution
All of Arizona and New Mexico, into adjacent regions of California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado, and western Texas to Presidio County.
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Habitat
Typical habitat includes shrub desert, rocky hillsides, and open pine forest with outcrops. Altitudinal range 1300-2200 m.
Shrubby desert in Dona Ana Co., New Mexico, is a typical habitat of host yucca.
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 baccatella |
|---|---|
| Location | Dona Ana Co, New Mexico, USA and San Juan Co, Utah, USA |
| Specimen Condition | Dead Specimen |
| Sex | males (left), females (right) |
| Image Use |
 This media file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License - Version 3.0.
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| Copyright |
© 1996
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University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
Page copyright © 1996
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Tegeticula baccatella .
Authored by
Olle Pellmyr.
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Citing this page:
Pellmyr, Olle. 1996. Tegeticula baccatella . Version 01 January 1996 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Tegeticula_baccatella/12465/1996.01.01 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
