Many additional Prodoxus species are known, and some described species are not monophyletic. A highly modified entry will appear here after description in a formal revision. The most obvious difference from the pollinators is the complete lack of tentacular appendages on the maxillary palps. There are currently 10 described species, but many more are in the process of description. The larvae of Prodoxus feed on vegetative parts of their hosts, and they are highly specific in what tissues are utilized.
All species complete their entire development inside the host tissue, and only emerge as adults.
Characters of Prodoxus Prodoxus is readily distinguished from coexisting pollinating Tegeticula by the absence of complete or vestigial maxillary tentacles in the female and by the absence of pollex. Armature on valvae can instead be a series of blunt spines along the outer edge, or be missing altogether. The small grublike larvae, which are white but often turn green when maturing, feed inside the host tissue. Upon maturity, the larva creates a path to the surface and prepares a cocoon inside the feeding gallery. Diapause can last for one or many years.