Where do yucca moths live alongside yucca plants?
Quick Answer
Yucca moths live in the deserts and dry grasslands of North America where yucca plants grow. Their larvae develop inside yucca fruits.
The Full Story
Yucca moths are native to North America, especially arid and semi-arid regions where yucca plants are common. The moth and plant have a famous mutualistic relationship: the female moth deliberately pollinates yucca flowers before laying eggs in them. The larvae then feed on some of the developing seeds, while enough seeds remain for the plant to reproduce. This relationship is one of the best-known examples of coevolution between an insect and a plant. Different yucca moth species are tied to different yucca hosts.
Key Facts
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