mutualisms:
Senita moth and Senita Cactus
All
photographs © Gregory G. and Mary Beth Dimijian
The
senita moth, less than 1/2 inch long, is an obligate partner in a newly discovered
mutualism with the senita cactus, whose flowers bloom only after dark and are
pollinated almost exclusively by this moth. The moth lays its eggs (top right)
in flowers. Larvae (moth caterpillars) which hatch from these eggs later consume
some of the fruits. J. Nathaniel Holland of Rice University has studied this
mutualism in Mexico and at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. His research
assistant (right) checks fruits for larvae.
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images do not enlarge
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