This species appears to be in decline, almost certainly because the gopher tortoise (
Gopherus polyphemus) is under threat; the moth relies on the tortoise in a unique way. All
Ceratophaga larvae feed, uniquely among
Lepidoptera, on solid
keratin. Most species feed on the
horns and
hooves of dead
ungulates but
C. vicinella feeds exclusively on the shells of dead gopher tortoises. The larvae of
C. vicinella, whitish with a dark brown head, feed gregariously on the keratin shells and construct a mass of silk tubes on the underside which act as anchors, penetrating the soil to a depth of 10 cm, possibly also serving to protect the larvae from temperature extremes and
parasitoids. They feed, and eventually
pupate, within the protection of these tubes. == References ==