A New Prodoxus from Yucca baccata: First Report of a Leaf-Mining Prodoxine (Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae)

Abstract

Prodoxus phylloryctus, a new species of yucca moth, is described and illustrated. The larvae mine in the semisucculent leaves of Yucca baccata Torrey (Agavaceae); the surrounding leaf tissue hardens and becomes gall-like. P. phylloryctus occurs sympatrically with its sister-species, P. coloradensis Riley. The two are ecologically separated. Larvae of the latter live in floral stalks, and adults emerge about two weeks earlier. P. phylloryctus exhibited a 2:1 female-biased sex ratio. A skewed sex ratio was not observed in P. coloradensis nor has this phenomenon been reported in other yucca moths. Appreciable numbers of larvae of both Prodoxus species carry-over more than one year in a prolonged diapause. A phylogeny for prodoxine genera (sensu Davis 1987) is proposed.