Cahela
Heinrich, 1939
cahela moth
Species Guides
1- Cahela ponderosella(cahela moth)
Cahela is a snout moth in the Pyralidae, containing a single , Cahela ponderosella. The genus was described by Carl Heinrich in 1939. The sole species was originally described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1918. Both the genus and its only species are found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cahela: //kæˈhiːlə//
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Identification
As a , Cahela is distinguished from other Phycitinae genera by the unique characteristics of its sole , Cahela ponderosella. Specific diagnostic features for the genus are not documented in available sources.
Images
Habitat
Arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico, associated with areas where Cylindropuntia cactus occur.
Distribution
Mexico; United States: California, Texas, Arizona, Utah, and probably Nevada.
Seasonality
have been observed on wing from March to June.
Diet
Larvae feed on the stems of Cylindropuntia (cholla cacti).
Host Associations
- Cylindropuntia - larval plantLarvae feed on stems
Ecological Role
Herbivore; larvae are stem-borers in cholla cacti.
More Details
Monotypic genus
The contains only one , Cahela ponderosella, making all genus-level characteristics equivalent to those of the single species.