Hypopta agavis
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| Hypopta agavis |
Hypopta agavis, whose larvae are known in Spanish as chilocuil, chinicuil, or tecol , is a moth native to North America. Its larvae feed on the succulent leaves of the maguey, although they are not considered a plague, as they have been traditionally used as food in North-Mexican cuisine. The red-colored caterpillars are also known as gusanos rojos, giving its name to a popular brand of mezcal; they are one of the two kinds of "worms" placed in bottles of mezcal, giving a unique color and flavor to the drink. The other, less appreciated ones, are the larvae of the agave snout weevil, Scyphophorus acupunctatus.
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