Replicated host-race formation in bogus yucca moths: genetic and ecological divergence of Prodoxus quinquepunctellus on yucca hosts

In English Goal: Assess host-race formation in certain moths by examining their genetic and ecological differentiation.
Organisms: Stalk-feeding moths, Prodoxus quinquepunctellus, collected from sympatric populations of Yucca elata and Y rostrata in west Texas, USA.

Results: Moths on the two yuccas differed significantly in mtDNA haplotype frequencies, emergence time, wing dot number, body size, and ovipositor size and shape.

Conclusion: Host-race formation has probably occurred in this yucca moth although genetic divergence was low.