Greya

Busck, 1903

Species Guides

Greya is a of in the Prodoxidae, comprising approximately 17 described . The genus is notable for its specialized nursery pollination mutualisms with saxifrage plants (Lithophragma), in which female moths oviposit into flowers and simultaneously pollinate them while their larvae develop within seeds. This pollination-seed system represents a key model for studying and ecological diversification in western North America.

Greya piperella by (c) David Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by David Anderson. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Greya: /ˈɡreɪə/

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Habitat

Associated with Lithophragma (Saxifragaceae) plants in western North America; include woodland, montane, and subalpine environments where Lithophragma occur.

Distribution

Western North America, ranging from southern California through Oregon, Washington, and western Idaho; distribution closely tracks that of Lithophragma plants across approximately 1400 km.

Diet

Larvae feed on developing seeds within Lithophragma fruits; feeding habits not documented.

Host Associations

Lithophragma - nursery pollination mutualismFemale oviposit into flowers, pollinating them; larvae develop as seed within fruits. Multiple Lithophragma and are used across the range.

Life Cycle

deposited into Lithophragma flowers; larvae develop within seeds, consuming developing embryos; presumably occurs in soil or leaf litter, though specific details are not well documented for most .

Behavior

Female use generalized olfactory detection to locate Lithophragma flowers, detecting at least 23 floral volatile compounds including hexahydrofarnesyl acetone. Moths preferentially oviposit into flowers of local but retain ability to detect volatiles from host populations and .

Ecological Role

of Lithophragma flowers via nursery pollination mutualism; simultaneous seed creates a conditional mutualism where net benefit to plants depends on pollination relative to seed consumption.