Agave-borer

Guides

• Comadia redtenbacheri

  agave red worm, chinicuil, gusano rojo del maguey

  Comadia redtenbacheri is a moth in the family Cossidae, commonly known as the agave red worm or chinicuil. It is a specialist phytophagous species whose larvae bore into Agave plants, particularly the rhizomes. The species has significant cultural and economic importance in Mexico as a traditional food source. Adults are small moths with forewings 12–14 mm in males and 13–16 mm in females. The species has a long, non-uniform life cycle that can exceed one year.

  edible-insectpestspecialist-herbivorenocturnalgregarious-larvaeaposematictraditional-foodMexicoTexasAgave-borer