Biology:Parategeticula pollenifera

Short description: Species of moth

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

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).

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.

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

Wikidata ☰ Q7136097 entry