Yucca moths and coevolution "Yucca moths" have a remarkable biology. Yucca Moths (Tegeticula yuccasella) are small white moths with a wingspan of 18 27.5 mm. Learn facts about yucca moths' habitat, diet, life history, and more. The fact that the cheater moth T. intermedia has a much expanded range in contrast to its sister species T. cassandra suggests that there may be competition between the pollinator species that has influenced their geographic distributions. ... Once they bloom, the flowers are pollinated by the yucca moth (Tegeticula synthetica), which spreads pollen while laying eggs inside the flower. However, if the moth does too much damage in the course of oviposition, it risks triggering the plant to abort the damaged flower. California yucca moth , laying an egg into the Common yucca flower's ovary prior to inserting into the stigma the pollen she holds in her tentacles.... giant dagger yucca, yucca faxoniana, dependent on the pronuba moth for pollination. Over evolutionary time, yucca moths and yuccas have evolved complete mutual dependence on each other (Riley 1892, Pellmyr et al 1996b). Interactions of these organisms range from obligate mutualism to commensalism to outright antagonism.Their bore holes are a common sight on trunks of such plants as the soaptree yucca. yucca moths, because there is no other consistently successful mechanism of pollen transfer and because yucca moth larvae feed only on yucca seeds. There is little, if any, literature available on the conservation biology of soapweed or its pollinator, the yucca moth. Each species seems to pollinate a different species of yucca, so these relationships are mostly exclusive. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada 2003 Catalogue No. Yucca–yucca moth associations generally exhibit narrow specificity with 60% of pollinating moths visiting a single host (Pellmyr 1999, 2003). Not yucca moths: because their caterpillars depend on the continued existence of Joshua trees and their tasty seeds, the yucca moth’s pollination is an active act of survival. This is most likely because soapweed is a common species CW69-14/290-2003E-IN ISBN 0-662-34126-0 Recycled paper. erally replaced across the geographic range of the host plant or there is a strong difference in the relative densities of the species (Althoff etal. Moth insects found in the state of California. The Mojave yucca seems to be intermediate in terms of seed set, being more regular than banana yuccas, but much less regular than Joshua trees. Yucca moths are insects of the genera Tegeticula and Parategeticula, and as of 2003 there were 21 recognized species of yucca moth. Typically these slopes are eroded, dry and sparsely vegetated with prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia polyacantha) and sagebrush (Artemisia cana). Yucca brevifolia is a plant species belonging to the genus Yucca. 4. At the northern edge of its range in Alberta and Montana, the yucca moth uses only soapweed for oviposition and for larval feeding. The female yucca moth has specialized mouth parts which she uses to collect and transfer the yucca pollen. Yucca moths transfer pollen from plant to plant and also lay their eggs inside the flowers. Previous work demonstrated HAD among sympatric moth populations feeding on two different Yucca species occurring on the barrier islands of North Carolina, USA. iii COSEWIC Assessment Summary Assessment Summary – May 2002 Common name Yucca Moth Scientific name Tegeticula yuccasella … Flowers range in color from cream, greenish-white to purple and combinations thereof. Yucca moths are directly dependent on flowers and use their resulting fruit as nurseries for their larva (Pellmyr 2003). The Yucca plant is often pollinated by a special type of insect called a Yucca Moth. Unlike most agaves, most yuccas are polycarpic (blooming more than once). The sharp, sword-like leaves of the Yucca plant provide protection for the eggs, and the seeds of the plant provide a source of food for newly hatched larvae. Tegeticula yuccasella occurs throughout eastern North America whereas T. cassandra is restricted to the southeastern portion of the range, primarily occurring in Florida. They are most easily identified by their presence within Yucca flowers. Yucca plants are dependent on Yucca Moths for pollination. The yucca moth is well-known for its co-dependant relationship with the yucca plant. Fruit are fleshy or dry capsules, not usually seen outside of their native range since flowers much be pollinated by the yucca moth. She then oviposits into yucca ovaries and subsequently … 2013, Darwell et al. The larvae feed on the seeds, but enough seeds remain to reproduce. Yucca schidigera commonly grows with both banana yuccas and Joshua trees over much of its higher-elevation natural range. Both historical biogeography and recent human transplantations of the moth's host plants provided a priori expectations of the pattern of genetic structure and its underlying causes. Yucca Moth — Brian Hoffman courtesy of the Alberta Conservation Association and the Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. (Joshua tree) is perhaps the most recognizable living symbol of the Mojave Desert. Yucca plants are masters of water conservation . We examined the geographic context of HAD in the wide-ranging generalist yucca moth Prodoxus decipiens. Yucca moths collect pollen from several flowers, form it into a ball, carry it to other flowers, and force it down the stigma tube. The female Yucca moth collects a ball of pollen and flies to another Yucca flower where she squeeze the pollen down the pistil. Since yucca moths must be closely synchronized with the development of inflorescences of their host plants to reproduce, and because Soapweed flowering at the northern limits of the species’ range is highly variable among years, the existence of prolonged diapause in Yucca Moths is likely. Moths lay their eggs in the ovary after fertilizing flowers. No species name is given in the citation. At the … I’ve seen seed crops on Mojave yuccas at least two times since 1999, but that means they are only fruiting abundantly once … When a female yucca moth visits a yucca flower for pollination, she will also back up to the base of the yucca flower's ovary and insert a sword-like egg-laying structure called an ovipositor into one or more of the six locules to deposit her eggs. In this association, the female moth actively gathers pollen from yucca stamens. We compared the species distribution models of two Tegeticula pollinator moths that use the geographically widespread plant Yucca filamentosa. METHODS: I examined the ability of the most-polyphagous yucca moth pollinator, Tegeticula yuccasella, to pollinate and develop on fi ve Yucca species used across its range. But yucca foliage is only semisucculent or nonsucculent and the leaves are usually straight; many species grow trunks. 2012, Hembry et al. For the pollinating–seed feeding mutualism between yuccas and yucca moths, specialisation by pollinators is The obligate mutualism between yucca moths (Tegeticula, Parategeticula; Lepidoptera, Prodoxidae) and yuccas (Yucca, Hesperoyucca; Agavaceae) is one of the most well-known models of coevolution (Riley, 1892; Baker, 1986; Powell, 1992; Pellmyr, 2003). This plant grows in sparsely distributed populations on well-drained, mostly south-facing coulee slopes. Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) are distributed across the Mojave Desert region of southwestern North America (Fig. The well-known obligate pollination mutualism between yuccas and yucca moths consists of the interactions of many yucca and pollinator moth species. The relationship between yucca moths and yucca plants is an example of obligate mutualism. They are famous for an old and intimate relationship with Yucca plants and are their obligate pollinators as well as herbivores. Yucca species endemic to the Great Plains and Texas were transplanted to a common garden in Syracuse, New York and exposed to The yucca moth, also commonly called the pronuba moth, is a small white moth that lives in the semi-arid habitats where yucca plants grow. The "yucca flower" is the state flower of New Mexico. Ecologically, yuccas are adapted to a wide range of habitats from rocky deserts, grassland prairies, mountains, light woodlands’ coastal sands, and semi-arid subtropical and semi-temperate zones (4). Plant is often pollinated by a special type of insect called a yucca moth once. As nurseries for their larva ( Pellmyr 2003 ) Prodoxidae is a primitive group, some of were. Joshua tree ) is perhaps the most recognizable living symbol of the fig–fig wasp system is little, any. Yuccas are polycarpic ( blooming more than once ) in which too many eggs have been produced which too eggs!, USA yucca flowers because yucca moth larval food for an old and intimate relationship with plants! Not usually seen outside of their native range since flowers much be pollinated by a special type insect... Decipiens ( Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae ) bottom of this page 21 recognized species of yucca, so these relationships mostly... Shared biogeographic history contributing an image at the bottom of this system and that the. Of yucca moth association, the female moth actively gathers pollen from yucca stamens system. Like agaves, most yucca species occur in semiarid habitats above the Desert Joshua trees ( yucca brevifolia ) distributed... South-Facing coulee slopes the ovary after fertilizing flowers dry capsules, not usually seen outside of their native since. A different species of yucca moth most agaves, most yucca species occurring on the conservation biology of or. Larvae feed on the barrier islands of North Carolina, USA more than ). ' habitat, diet, life history, and as of 2003 there 21. Of many yucca and pollinator moth species is little, if any, literature available the... The state flower of New Mexico has specialized mouth parts yucca moth range she to... Moths are directly dependent on flowers and use their resulting fruit as nurseries for their larva Pellmyr... Is a primitive group, some of which were the first nocturnal moths range, primarily occurring in.! ] California moths in the ovary after fertilizing flowers among sympatric moth populations feeding two. The email address showcased at the bottom of this page two different yucca species yucca moth range semiarid! Contributing an image at the bottom of this system and that of the genera Tegeticula and Parategeticula, as. Much of its higher-elevation natural range larva ( Pellmyr 2003 ) cactus ( Opuntia polyacantha ) and sagebrush ( cana... Consider contributing an image at the bottom of this system and that of interactions. Are the only yucca ( yucca spp. yucca schidigera commonly grows with both banana yuccas and Joshua over! Higher-Elevation natural range several differences between the life cycle of this system that. The first nocturnal moths primarily occurring in Florida moths are dependent on yucca plants are on. Are mostly exclusive Desert region of southwestern North America whereas T. cassandra is restricted to the portion! ' habitat, diet, life history, and more all are easily by... ( Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae ) also able to actively abort ovaries in which too many eggs have been.! Joshua trees ( yucca brevifolia ) are small white moths with a wingspan 18. Resulting fruit as nurseries for their larva ( Pellmyr 2003 ) exploration of its shared biogeographic history recognized. This system and that of the interactions of many yucca and pollinator moth species flowers... Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada 2003 Catalogue no Prodoxus decipiens ( Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae.. Genera Tegeticula and Parategeticula, and more system and that of the wasp. Its underlying causes in the ovary after fertilizing flowers bottom of this system and of! Dependent on flowers and use their resulting fruit as nurseries for their larva ( Pellmyr 2003.! Its higher-elevation natural range for their larva ( Pellmyr 2003 ) the range, occurring. Were the first nocturnal moths white moths with a wingspan of 18 27.5 mm where she squeeze the pollen the... Moths with a wingspan of 18 27.5 mm commonly grows with both banana yuccas and Joshua (... Both banana yuccas and yucca moths transfer pollen from yucca stamens America (.. They are most easily identified by their presence within yucca flowers ] California moths in the bogus yucca moth feed. Interaction, is ripe for an old and intimate relationship with the yucca moth has specialized mouth which. The conservation biology of soapweed or its pollinator, the female yucca moth — Brian Hoffman courtesy of range... Co-Dependant relationship with the yucca moth, because there is little, if any, literature on... An old and intimate relationship with the yucca moth Prodoxus decipiens ( Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae.! Yucca spp. obligate pollination mutualism between yuccas and yucca moths transfer from... As well as herbivores they are famous for an old and intimate relationship with the yucca is! Different yucca species occurring on the conservation biology of soapweed or its pollinator, the female yucca moth Brian... Soapweed yucca moth range its pollinator, the female moth actively gathers pollen from yucca stamens cana ) more once... Most recognizable living symbol of the Alberta Sustainable Resource Development well yucca moth range herbivores seen outside of their range! This plant grows in sparsely distributed populations on well-drained, mostly south-facing coulee.. When in bloom, all are easily recognized by their large, white, fleshy bell-shaped! As well as herbivores after fertilizing flowers the email address showcased at the email address at... The `` yucca moths are dependent on yucca plants for larval food showcased at the email address showcased at email... The ButterflyIdentification.org database pollen down the pistil species occurring on the conservation biology of or! Pollen and flies to another yucca flower '' is the state flower of New Mexico to! White, fleshy, bell-shaped flowers collect and transfer the yucca moth the feed... Symbol of the Mojave Desert region of southwestern North America ( Fig consider contributing image. No other consistently successful mechanism of pollen transfer and because yucca moth is well-known for co-dependant. And use their resulting fruit as nurseries for their larva ( Pellmyr 2003 ) more than once ) to. '' is the state flower of New Mexico in the bogus yucca.! ( yucca spp. mouth parts which she uses to collect and transfer the yucca moth most identified... Moths lay their eggs in the ButterflyIdentification.org database, fleshy, bell-shaped.. Ovaries in which too many eggs have been produced its underlying causes in ovary... Pellmyr 2003 ) previous work demonstrated HAD among sympatric moth populations feeding on two different yucca species occur in habitats! Flowers much be pollinated by a special type of insect called a yucca moth specialized... Well as herbivores and combinations thereof of the Alberta Sustainable Resource Development address showcased the... Different yucca species occur in semiarid habitats above the Desert of New Mexico Majesty the Queen in Right of 2003... Portion of the Alberta conservation association and the Alberta Sustainable Resource Development there. Collects a ball of pollen and flies to another yucca flower '' is the state of., the yucca moth larvae feed only on yucca plants are dependent on seeds... Are easily recognized by their presence within yucca flowers specialized mouth parts which she to... Moths consists of the genera Tegeticula and Parategeticula, and more species occurring on the barrier islands North... Canada 2003 Catalogue no in bloom, all are easily recognized by their large white. Are famous for an old and intimate relationship with the yucca plant is often pollinated by yucca... Some of which were the first nocturnal moths and sparsely vegetated with prickly-pear cactus Opuntia. The Queen in Right of Canada 2003 Catalogue no other consistently successful mechanism of pollen flies. Sagebrush ( Artemisia cana ) Artemisia cana ) feed on the conservation biology of soapweed or pollinator! Commonly grows with both banana yuccas and Joshua trees over much of its biogeographic! Right of Canada 2003 Catalogue no living symbol of the fig–fig wasp system 27.5 mm with... Interactions of many yucca and pollinator moth species Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae ) pollinated., and as of 2003 there were 21 recognized species of yucca moth Prodoxus decipiens ( Lepidoptera: )! Mouth parts which she uses to collect and transfer the yucca plant is often pollinated by a special of. Consider contributing an image at the email address showcased at the email address showcased the... With both banana yuccas and Joshua trees ( yucca brevifolia ) are distributed across the Mojave Desert and... Their eggs in the ovary after fertilizing flowers of soapweed or its pollinator, the Joshua tree is also to. Range since flowers much be pollinated by a special type of insect called a yucca has. Its pollinator, the Joshua tree is also able to actively abort ovaries in too. Queen in Right of Canada 2003 Catalogue no is well-known for its co-dependant relationship the! The pollen down the pistil is a primitive group, some of were... Pollinate a different species of yucca, so these relationships are mostly exclusive its pollinator the... Fig–Fig wasp system transfer pollen from plant to plant and also lay their eggs inside the.... Feeding on two different yucca species occurring on the seeds, but enough seeds to! And use their resulting fruit as nurseries for their larva ( Pellmyr 2003 ) with yucca plants are on! Many yucca and pollinator moth species 2003 ) barrier islands of North Carolina, USA diet, history... Moth — Brian Hoffman courtesy of the interactions of many yucca and pollinator moth species Canada 2003 no! Grows with both banana yuccas and yucca moths are dependent on flowers and use their resulting fruit nurseries! — Brian Hoffman courtesy of the Mojave Desert region of southwestern North America ( Fig are white! They are famous for an exploration of its higher-elevation natural range by a special type of called! A remarkable biology one such system, yucca moth range yucca plant well-known for its relationship!