Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Pyralidae Rank Species | Phylum Arthropoda Order Lepidoptera Genus Vitula | |
Vitula lugubrella is a species of snout moth in the genus Vitula. It was described by Ragonot in 1887. It is found in North America, including California.
There are probably multiple generations per year.
The larvae live within the dried galls of Atrusca species which occur on Quercus grisea. Young larvae feed just inside the outer covering of the gall on the fibrous material that constitutes most of the internal structure. Older larvae also feed on these fibers but may also tunnel through the center of the gall. Pupation takes place in a loosely woven silk cocoon within the gall.
References
Vitula lugubrella Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA