Notes on larval feeding and habitat of Gorgopis zellerii Dewitz in Western Cape, South Africa (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae)

Above ground larval feeding tubes and webs are reported for Gorgopis zellerii Dewitz, 1881 for the first time. We illustrate the adult moth, the pre-emergent pupa, and examples of larvae and larval feeding webs observed in Western Cape province. Larvae construct feeding tubes of silk and plant fragments extending above ground within plant tussocks. The distinctive dorsal forewing pattern of white longitudinal bands allowed the moth to be identified by comparing with the holotype illustration for G. zellerii. The biological observations represent the second documented example of Gorgopis Hübner, [1820] constructing subaerial larval feeding webs.