• Introduction
• Taxonomic History
• Dissection Methodology
• Identification Key to Genera
• Morphology
• Phylogenetic Relationships
• Evolution of Host Preferences
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Cahela Heinrich

Thomas J. Simonsen and Richard L. Brown

Last updated:  Dec.15, 2009

Taxonomic Synonymy
Cahela Heinrich, 1939, Proc. U.S. Natl. Mus. 86: 361
Type species: Olyca ponderosella Barnes and McDunneough, 1918. By monotypy.

Diagnostic Characters
Adult
Cahela is most closely related to Rumatha, but bears similarities to Echinocereta, and Eremberga leucornips. Cahela can be distinguished by the following combination of characters: 1) antenna of both sexes simple, 2) maxillary palpus fan-shaped, 3) male genitalia with the two halves of the gnathos apex completely fused, 4) forewing grey with strong black stripes on veins, most notably along the anterior vein of the discal cell (Heinrich 1939; Neunzig 1997; Simonsen 2008).

Larva
According to Heinrich (1939) and Mann (1969) the larvae are white or greyish white without transverse bands or spots.

Larval Hosts
The larvae feed in fruit and terminal segments of Cylindropuntia. (Heinrich 1939; Mann 1969; Neunzig 1997).

Life History
Eggs are laid singly; the larvae are solitary feeders (Heinrich 1939; Mann 1969).

Distribution
Cahela occurs in western Mexico and southwestern USA (Heinrich 1939, 1956; Mann 1969, Neunzig 1997).

Species
     ponderosella