Cahela is a genus of snout moths. It was described by Heinrich, in 1939, and contains the species C. ponderosella. It is found in Mexico, California, Texas, Arizona, Utah and probably Nevada. The wingspan is about 38 mm. The forewing are slender, brownish grey with black longitudinal lines along the veins. The hindwings are white with a white fringe and are much wider than the forewings. Adults are on wing from March to June. The larvae feed on the stems of Cylindropuntia species.