REVISION OF MOTHS OF PRODOXINAE 73 



The "quinquepunctellus" group (A) is probably the more primitive 

 of the two divisions as mdicated by its hosts; its members apparently 

 feed on all species of Yucca except the section Hesperoyucca. Prodoxus 

 intricatus is believed to be the most advanced species within this 

 group, prunarily because of the loss of the signum and, perhaps, be- 

 cause of its darker pigmentation. Whether the latter character 

 actually indicates specialization is questionable. It would appear 

 that dark pigmentation has developed as an adaptation to a change 

 in adult behavior, especially if the species were prone to rest on a 

 dark surface when not active. This, however, is not known to be 

 the case; instead, it has been reported that other dark species (e.g., 

 Tegeticula maculata extranea and T. synthetica) rest in the flowers 

 during the day as do their white relatives. 



Prodoxus sordidus represents an early radiation (B) within the 

 "quinquepunctellus" group that is restricted to Yu^ca brevifolia, the 

 sole member of the section Clistocarpa. Morphologically the moth 

 still demonstrates its affinities to the other members of the group by 

 retaining a bilobed tegumen and spiniferous valves. As suggested 

 by its fruit boring habit, this species may be the most primitive 

 member of the genus. 



The "marginatus" group (A') is comprised of four species, all host 

 specific on Yu^ca whipplei. The most generalized member of the 

 group may be either P. marginatus or P. pulverulentus. These two 

 species are closely related, as evidenced by their very similar male 

 and female genitalia, and by their similar life histories. Primarily on 

 the basis of the genitalia, P. aenescens is considered the most advanced 

 of this series. Thus, this position again, curiously enough, is occupied 

 by the darkest extreme in the group. 



Key to the Species of Prodoxus 



la. Forewing either entirely white or white with black markings. 



2a. Forewing unicolorous, or sometimes with a few scattered, black spots 

 (fig. 61). 

 3a. Medium sized moths, wing expanse 12-23 mm; forewing white, some- 

 times lightly spotted (figs. 60-61); hind wing unicolorous, usually ap- 

 pearing darker than forewing, scales narrow, oblanceolate. 



P. quinquepunctellus 



3b. Smaller species, wing expanse 8-14 mm; forewing unicolorous, white to 



cream colored (fig. 71); hindwing with costal area fuscous, remainder 



of hindwing white as in forewing, scales broader, ovate . P. sordidus 



2b. Forewing with conspicuous dark markings. 



3a. Forewing with transverse median bands; male genitalia with apex of 



tegumen bilobed, cucuUus with marginal spines (fig. 93). 



4a. Thorax entirely white; forewing variously marked, usually with an 



inverted Y-shaped band on outer half (fig. 62); dorsal ridge of 



ovipositor prominent (fig. 138), with approximately 38-44 



teeth P- y-inversus 



221-519—67 6 



