Maguey worm
| White maguey worm Meocuiles Aegiale hesperiaris |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Hesperiidae |
| Genus: |
Aegiale C.Felder & R.Felder, 1860 |
| Species: | A. hesperiaris |
| Binomial name | |
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Aegiale hesperiaris (Walker, 1856) |
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| Synonyms | |
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The maguey worm, scientific name Aegiale hesperiaris, (Spanish: gusano del maguey,
gu'sanos de magei chinicuil tʃini'kuiles ), is one of two varieties of edible caterpillars that infest maguey (Agave americana) and Agave tequilana plants.
The white maguey worms, known as meocuiles, are caterpillars of a butterfly commonly named "tequila giant skipper," Aegiale hesperiaris.
Aegiale hesperiaris is found usually in regions of Central Mexico, on the leaves of Family Agavaceae plants, such as: Agave tequilana and Agave americana (maguey). They are not found on cacti, as is often erroneously reported. Aegiale hesperiaris butterflies deposit their eggs at the heart of the leaves of agaves. The larvae then eat the flesh of the agave stems and roots, sometimes boring out the agave completely.
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Wikipedia