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 on Juniperus species, where its feed.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Periploca cata: /ˌpɛɹɪˈploʊkə ˈkɑːtə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

As a member of Cosmopterigidae, P. cata is a small with narrow typical of the . It may be distinguished from similar by its specific association with juniper 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 , 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 occur.

Distribution

North America: recorded from Illinois and Arkansas, United States.

Seasonality

active from May to August.

Diet

feed within Gymnosporangium on Juniperus .

Host Associations

Juniperus - (larval substrate)Juniper hosting Gymnosporangium provide the feeding site for
Gymnosporangium - association feed within caused by this rust 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 with specialized larval habits.

Larval biology

The feeding habit within fungal is characteristic of some Chrysopeleiinae; this represents a specialized utilizing the structure provided by Gymnosporangium rust on junipers.