Vitula biviella is a species of snout moth in the genus Vitula. It was described by Zeller in 1848. It is found in most of Europe, except Ireland and the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula.[1] It is only recently present in Great Britain. The first records were noted in 1997 and 1998 from Kent and the species now seems to have established small breeding populations in both Kent and Suffolk.[2]

Vitula biviella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pyralidae
Genus: Vitula
Species:
V. biviella
Binomial name
Vitula biviella
(Zeller, 1848)
Synonyms
  • Ephestia biviella Zeller, 1848

The wingspan is 12–18 mm.[3] Adults are on wing from June to August.

The larvae feed on the flowers of Pinus species. They live within a silken gallery amongst the young shoots and male plants.[4]

References edit