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Tegeticula cassandra Pellmyr

Olle Pellmyr
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Containing group: Tegeticula

Adult Characteristics

Wing expanse 20-27 mm. Forewing white; hindwing dark grey with brown tinge, darkest by fore edge and apex, gradually lighter toward back corner. Male genitalia with aedeagus 1.45-1.70 mm long, 0.09-0.10 mm in cross section; female genitalia with posterior apophyses 4.1-4.5 mm long, large corpus bursae with signa 1.44-1.72 mm in diameter.

Comparison with Similar Species

Fairly similar to elatella, with which it shares a distinctive ovipositor shape (a high dorsal ridge). Genitalia are characteristic for identification; a diagnostic key is provided.

Host, Oviposition, and Larval Feeding Habits

The species is known from the capsular-fruited Yucca filamentosa (Y. smalliana, Y. flaccida) and probably the fleshy-fruited Y. aloifolia. Eggs are laid just below the ovary surface, usually at the base of the style. The larva feeds on developing seeds. Pupation occurs in a cocoon in the soil.

Geographic Distribution

North central Florida and adjacent Georgia.

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Habitat

Natural habitats include relatively open pine and pine-oak forests, and open grassy areas with oak scrub. Altitude 0-30 m.

Type

Holotype in USNM.

References

Pellmyr, O. 1999. Systematic revision of the Tegeticula yuccasella complex (Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae) north of Mexico. Systematic Entomology 24:243-271.

Title Illustrations
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Scientific Name Tegeticula cassandra
Location Highlands Co, Florida, USA
Specimen Condition Dead Specimen
Sex male (left), female (right)
Image Use creative commons This media file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License - Version 3.0.
Copyright © 1996
About This Page


University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA

Page: Tree of Life Tegeticula cassandra Pellmyr. Authored by Olle Pellmyr. The TEXT of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License - Version 3.0. Note that images and other media featured on this page are each governed by their own license, and they may or may not be available for reuse. Click on an image or a media link to access the media data window, which provides the relevant licensing information. For the general terms and conditions of ToL material reuse and redistribution, please see the Tree of Life Copyright Policies.

Citing this page:

Pellmyr, Olle. 1996. Tegeticula cassandra Pellmyr. Version 01 January 1996 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Tegeticula_cassandra/12473/1996.01.01 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/

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