Tetragma gei
Olle Pellmyr
Adult Characteristics
Wing expanse 11-17 mm, with both sexes almost entirely pale ochreous or creamy white. The female possess a much elongated, telescoping abdomen used in reaching the deeply recessed ovaries of its host, Geum triflorum; the elongated seventh segment quickly loses its scales, and the exposed dark integument becomes another prominent feature of this species.
Comparison with Similar Species
The exceptionally telescoping abdomen of the female makes them unmistakable. The male is superficially similar to the somes co-occurring Greya subalba. It differs by having light tan or cream-colored forewings, whereas G. subalba has white forewings. The species is also usually found in immediate vicinity of its host, Geum triflorum, whereas G. subalba is found around members of Lomatium.
Host, Oviposition, and Larval Feeding Habits
Exclusively on Geum triflorum (mountain avens; Rosaceae). Early-instar larvae feed inside the developing seeds. An oviposition sequence, an egg, and an attacked Geum seed are shown in Davis et al. (1992)
Tetragma ovipositing into a Geum flower. Ovipositor reaches ovaries at the base of the flower (at red-tan transition on calyx).
Geographic Distribution
T. gei is so far only known from Washington, Idaho, Wyoming (Yellowstone), and South Dakota (Black Hills). The host plant is more widespread, however, and the moth may well occur over a larger geographic range.
Habitat
In herb-rich steppe and forest openings with Geum triflorum, often at 1000+ m elevation. The photograph below shows the type locality, where the moth coexists with Greya subalba.
References
Davis, D.R., O. Pellmyr & J.N. Thompson. 1992. Biology and systematics of Greya Busck and Tetragma n. gen. (Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae). Smiths. Contrib. Zool. 524:1-88.
Title Illustrations
| Scientific Name | Tetragma gei |
|---|---|
| Location | U.S.A.: Washington: Asotin Co |
| Specimen Condition | Dead Specimen |
| Sex | Male |
| Image Use |
 This media file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License - Version 3.0.
|
| Copyright |
© 1996
|
| Scientific Name | Tetragma gei |
|---|---|
| Location | U.S.A.: Washington: Asotin Co |
| Specimen Condition | Dead Specimen |
| Sex | Female |
| Image Use |
This media file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License - Version 3.0.
|
| Copyright |
© 1996
|
About This Page
University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
Page copyright © 1996
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Tetragma gei .
Authored by
Olle Pellmyr.
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Citing this page:
Pellmyr, Olle. 1996. Tetragma gei . Version 01 January 1996 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Tetragma_gei/12412/1996.01.01 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
