Yucca Moth?

Question

Here is a little trivia question...........I would like to see how much people know about mutualistic relationships.........actually symbiosis in this case.

I already know the answer, I will award 10 points to the person who can give me the best answer WITHOUT internest research, I know all the pages, so dont try...........you'll be stuck with two points!!!

QUESTION:
With what other organism does the Yucca moth share a symbiotic relationship, and name some of the important interactions behind thier relationship, and which of the two has ultimate vito power over whether or not they both survive?

Answer 1

I could not recall the actual species, but it would be one of the yucca plants. What happens is the yucca moth pollinates this particular species while laying eggs in the flowers. the flowers soon develop into a fruit with a hard covering. concealing and protecting the egg (and hatching larva). Soon the larva eats away on the fruity flesh. However, it does not eat the seeds and the covering. When the larva is mature, it cuts open the covering so it come out when it transforms into a moth.

The plant is superior, since many things can pollinate the yucca plant if the moth is gone. However, the moth is so dependent on the plant that if they go extinct, the moth follows

Answer 2

The Yucca tree (I have one)...it must be some kind of pollination (i.e. so the plants can survive; and the moth gets nurishment from the pollen - allowing it to live)...

or perhaps the moth lays its eggs on the Yucca (i.e. the catepillars need to feed specifically on this plant) - then during this process the moth carries the pollen from the plant???

Vito power...I would think that other insects, birds, the wind could possibly pollinate this plant (I am not privy to how this works for this plant) - and since the moth is called the 'Yucca' moth, I would think it is dependent on the Yucca (like the Monarch needs the milkweed plant).