Prodoxus mapimiensis

Prodoxus mapimiensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Prodoxidae
Genus:	Prodoxus
Species:	P. mapimiensis
Binomial name
	Prodoxus mapimiensis; Pellmyr & Balcazar-Lara, 2005

Prodoxus mapimiensis is a moth of the family Prodoxidae. It is found in Mexico in the Chihuahuan Desert, from Saltillo-Torre north to the Big Bend region of western Texas, United States.

The wingspan is 7.3-10.9 mm for males and 8.8–12 mm for females. The forewings are usually white. The hindwings are white with a light gray apex.[1] Adults are on wing from March to April.

The larvae feed on Yucca carnerosana, Yucca linearifolia, Yucca filifera and Yucca treculeana. They feed superficially inside the flowering stalk of their host plant. The larva can diapause for at least three years before pupation and emergence.

Etymology

The species name refers to its distribution in Bolsón de Mapimí, the southern section of the main portion of the Chihuahuan Desert.

References

Pellmyr, O, 2006: Phylogeny and life history evolution of Prodoxus yucca moths (Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae). Systematic Entomology 31: 1-20.

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[1] Pellmyr, O, 2006: Phylogeny and life history evolution of Prodoxus yucca moths (Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae). Systematic Entomology 31: 1-20.