Animal profile

Yucca Moth

Tegeticula yuccasella

InsectaArid and semi-arid grassland, prairie and desert where yuccas grow

Field profile

A small pale moth that is the sole pollinator of certain yuccas. Females carry specialised mouthparts for collecting and packing pollen and deliberately pollinate the flowers in which they lay eggs. Larvae eat some of the resulting seeds.

Published field notes

2026-08-31

Yucca Moth

The yucca moth pollinates on purpose

Almost all pollination is accidental, a by-product of insects seeking food. The female yucca moth gathers pollen with specialised mouthparts, lays eggs in the flower's ovary, then climbs the style and packs the pollen in deliberately.

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