''Tegeticula cassandra'' is a
moth of the
family Prodoxidae. It is found in the United States in north-central
Florida and bordering areas of
Georgia. The habitat consists of open pine and pine-oak forests and open grassy areas with oak scrub.
''T. cassandra'' is very closely related to ''
Tegeticula intermedia
''Tegeticula intermedia'' is a moth of the family Prodoxidae. Along with other moth species, it is commonly known as a yucca moth. ''T. intermedia'' lives in North America, particularly the United States. The moth resides in the southwest, the Gr ...
'', a yucca moth that is found more so in the southwestern part of the United States. Both exhibit behavior that is considered cheating since neither pollinate their host yucca plants that they lay their eggs upon.
The
wingspan is 20–27 mm. The forewings are white and the hindwings are dark gray with a brown tinge.
TOLweb
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The larvae feed on '' Yucca filamentosa'', ''Yucca smalliana
''Yucca flaccida'', commonly called Adam's needle or weak-leaf yucca, is a species of flowering plant in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). It is native to south-central and southeastern North America, from the lower Great Plains eastward to th ...
'', ''Yucca flaccida
''Yucca flaccida'', commonly called Adam's needle or weak-leaf yucca, is a species of flowering plant in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). It is native to south-central and southeastern North America, from the lower Great Plains eastward to th ...
'' and possibly '' Yucca aloifolia''. They feed on developing seeds. Pupation takes place in a cocoon in the soil.
References
Moths described in 1999
Prodoxidae
{{Incurvarioidea-stub