About Pyla fusca Haworth, 1811
Pyla fusca is a species of snout moth in the subfamily Phycitinae that inhabits the Holarctic region. It differs from all other species in the genus Pyla, which are restricted to North America. Some researchers have proposed separating this species into its own monotypic genus, Matilella. This separation may be justified, given the limited current scientific knowledge of Phycitinae: it is possible that close relatives of Pyla fusca will eventually be discovered in the Old World, or that Pyla fusca is actually a cryptic species complex. However, separating the species into Matilella could leave the remaining genus Pyla paraphyletic, which would make this separation taxonomically inappropriate. Further research is needed to resolve this taxonomic question. This moth has a wingspan of 25 to 28 mm. Its forewings are dark fuscous, speckled with grey-white; the first and second lines on the forewings are obscurely pale with darker edges, and two darker discal dots are placed transversely. The hindwings are fuscous. The larva is brownish-black with brownish incisions, a black dorsal line, and a black head and second thoracic segment plate. It develops on plants of the genus Erica. The adult moth particularly frequents areas where heath has been partially burned, an environment to which its dark colouration is well adapted. Depending on location, adults are on the wing from June to August. The larvae feed on species of Erica and Vaccinium.
