Meee! 
371 
- There is much yet to learn of the pollination of other species of Yucca, 
and I am particularly anxious to obtain the insects which will doubtless 
be found associated with them. The Regal Tree Yucca, Yucca filifera, 
of northeastern Mexico, reaching a height of 50 feet, with its pendulous 
panicles 5 or 6 feet long, has a very elongate pistil and comparatively 
short stamens. The few pods which I have been able to examine indi- 
cate the presence of a Pronuba and doubtless of a distinct species 
which will prove very interesting. Yucca baccata, Y. treculiana, and 
all the species which are sufficiently distinctive in character and in 
range may be expected to have special Pronubas associated with them, 
THE BOGUS YUCCA MOTH. 
An interesting fact connected with Pronuba and Yucca pollination is 
that there is always associated with Pronuba yuccasella another moth, 
which bears such a remarkable superficial 
resemblance to it, though possessing no 
power of pollination, that it has caused 
much confusion-in the past on the part of 
careless observers and led to a good deal 
of misstatement and error. This is what I 
have called the Bogus Yucca Moth, Pro- F!4. 69.—PRopoxus DEcIPIENS: a, 
doxus decipiens (Fig. 69). In size it is ieee ee Fi ccs 
go, wings expanded—unatural 
somewhat smaller, on the average, than _ size; ¢, enlarged maxillary palpus 
Pronuba, and, while found associated with “7” **s basa! tubercle. 
it, appears rather earlier. The female has no maxillary tentacle, but 
otherwise the genus has all the 
characteristics which would 
place it in the same family as 
Pronuba. The ovipositor is a 
stronger instrument (Fig. 70), 
but structurally homologous. 
The eggs are thrust into the 
stem while yet tender; they are 
elongate in form, but short and 
rounded at both ends, resem- 
Fic. 70.—GENITAL CHARACTERS OF PRODOXUS DECI- bling the undeveloped ova in 
PIENS: a, tip of 2 abdomen rendered somewhat the ovaries: of Pronubanene 
transparent; b, basal joint of ovipositor; c, its 
sculpture; d, terminal joint of same, its tip more larvaiS absolutely apodous (Fig ° 
aha ; ae of ¢ from side; g, do. from 71a), forms its cocoons within 
the stem, and transforms the 
ensuing year to a chrysalis, which has a much stronger capitate spine, 
but the barest trace of dorsal spines on the abdominal joints. Itissues 
partly from the stem in giving out the moth. As I have elsewhere 
remarked: 
Who, studying these two species in all their characters and bearing, can fail to 
conclude that, notwithstanding the essential differences which distinguish them not 
