Moth generally lighter in southern populations. Female with fully developed maxillary tentacles. Comparison with similar species Similar to many species in the yuccasella complex, especially the largely sympatric intermedia and cassandra , but intermedia females lack functional maxillary tentacles, and yuccasella has a lower dorsal keel on the ovipositor than either species. Genitalic characters are helpful in obtaining a definitive identification. A diagnostic key is provided.
Females oviposit into young fruit.
Eggs are laid inside the ovary, between the locule wall and the ovules. The larva feeds on developing seeds. Pupation occurs in a cocoon in the soil. Geographic distribution Throughout the Great Plains from its southern boundary in Texas to southernmost Canada, and in all regions east of the plains northward at least to central Michigan, southern Ontario, and Connecticut. The range has expanded in the northeast through colonization of Y. filamentosa after it became widely cultivated by European settlers in the past 150 years.