Carolella busckana is a gall former in the stems of Encelia californica Nutt. The galls begin to form in young green shoots in the spring and reach their maturity in September and October. The average gall measures about 35 mm. long by 12 mm. wide. At the time of maturity the plant appears to be dead, all of the leaves having withered. The stems containing the galls, however, are all living, and young buds are beginning to form on their surfaces. The presence of the gall does not kill the plant, and many vigorous branches may arise from it the following spring. The young larvae (up to at least 3.5 mm.) are translucent yellow-white, with black heart-shaped heads. In the later instars (the exact number undetermined) the head is light yellow-brown, considerably flattened, the mouth parts being a darker brown, and the ocelli black. The head is much smaller than the first segment.

- Comstock, John A.: (1939) The fauna and flora of El Segundo Sand Dunes. Two new Phaloniid moths^©