REVISION OF MOTHS OF PRODOXINAE 65 



Yucca schottii was suspected as a possible host because of its distri- 

 bution and late flowering period, both features of which coincided 

 closely with the occurrence of P. pollenifera. 



During the summer of 1964, the author made an investigation of 

 the Lepidoptera associated with Y. schottii and established not only 

 the host associations of P. pollenifera, but also of three other species 

 of yucca moths. With the exception of Tegeticula yuccasella, rel- 

 atively little is known concerning the life histories of these species 

 (viz., Parategeticula pollenifera, Prodoxus y-inversus, and Prodoxus 

 ochrocarus). Additional studies of aU four species, emphasizing their 

 interrelationships as well as the general biologies of each, would be 

 most desirable. 



The adults of Parategeticula pollenifera are nocturnal in that their 

 activity normally does not commence until 20 to 40 minutes after 

 sunset (approximately 8:00 p.m.). Most activity was noted between 

 the hours of 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Newly emerged specimens of both 

 sexes usually are observed first within the blossoms, often paired in 

 copulation. Fresh specimens typically are covered with a scattering 

 of large, black scales which give the moths a speckled appearance 

 (fig. 88). These scales, however, are easily lost, so that a great 

 majority of the moths encountered in the field are immaculate (fig. 

 89). Occasionally the scales can be found adhered to the inner sur- 

 faces of the corolla where they had been rubbed off in the course of 

 the moth's movements. 



During the early period of emergence, the females engage in pollen 

 collecting and, in all probability, pollination. Pollen collecting was 

 observed by the author, but the final deposition of the spores was 

 not. It is assumed that pollination proceeds in a manner similar to 

 that of Tegeticula, although this needs to be confirmed. Following 

 copulation and perhaps pollination, females seldom are encountered 

 within the blossoms at night, although they may be observed crawling 

 over the flower's exterior. Consequently, the great majority of active 

 specimens one sees within the flowers at this later date (mid-July 

 through early August) are males. The females are more apt to be 

 found beneath the blossoms near the center of the panicle, for it is 

 during this period that egg laying principally occurs. 



The ovipositor of P. pollenifera differs greatly in structure from 

 all other members of the Prodoxinae (fig. 135). This feature early 

 suggested a fundamental difference in life history. Field observations 

 have confirmed my previous suspicions in that the overall behavior of 

 this moth diu-ing oviposition is not only unique for the yucca moths 

 but perhaps for the entire Lepidoptera. The eggs are deposited in a 

 single row (fig. 34), usually along the dorsal (lower) surface of the 

 lateral branches of the flower panicle. The diameter of the stems at 



