Periploca cata
Hodges, 1962
Periploca cata is a small in the Cosmopterigidae, described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1962. It is known from a limited distribution in the central United States, specifically Illinois and Arkansas. The has a documented association with Gymnosporangium galls on Juniperus species, where its larvae feed.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Periploca cata: /ˌpɛɹɪˈploʊkə ˈkɑːtə/
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Identification
As a member of Cosmopterigidae, P. cata is a small with narrow wings typical of the . It may be distinguished from similar by its specific association with juniper galls and its documented range in the central United States. No specific diagnostic morphological features are described in available sources.
Habitat
Associated with Juniperus hosting Gymnosporangium galls, which provide the larval feeding substrate. The documented localities in Illinois and Arkansas suggest occurrence in temperate deciduous or mixed forest regions where both juniper and the rust fungus occur.
Distribution
North America: recorded from Illinois and Arkansas, United States.
Seasonality
active from May to August.
Diet
Larvae feed within Gymnosporangium galls on Juniperus .
Host Associations
- Juniperus - plant (larval substrate)Juniper hosting Gymnosporangium galls provide the feeding site for larvae
- Gymnosporangium - gall associationLarvae feed within galls caused by this rust fungus on juniper
Similar Taxa
- Periploca ceanothiellaCongeneric in the same , also in Cosmopterigidae; differs in association (recorded with Ceanothus rather than Juniperus/Gymnosporangium)
More Details
Taxonomic placement
Placed in Chrysopeleiinae within Cosmopterigidae. The Periploca contains multiple North American with specialized larval habits.
Larval biology
The feeding habit within fungal galls is characteristic of some Chrysopeleiinae; this represents a specialized utilizing the structure provided by Gymnosporangium rust fungi on junipers.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
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