Organism
Yucca Moth
TL;DR
Exemplifies extreme pairwise co-evolution with yucca plants.
Exemplifies extreme pairwise co-evolution with yucca plants. The moth evolved specialized mouthparts (modified maxillary palps) that collect pollen from yucca flowers and actively pack it onto the plant's stigma - the only known case of active pollination by an insect. The relationship is obligate: neither species can reproduce without the other. Yucca moths and plants have co-speciated, creating one-to-one matching of biodiversity.
Notable Traits of Yucca Moth
- Only known active pollinator insect
- Obligate mutualism with yucca
- Co-speciation with host plant