Crambidae

63.116 Small China-mark Cataclysta lemnata (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common

Similar species:

Forewing: M 8.5 to 9mm, F 10 to 11mm

Habitats: Ponds, ditches, rhynes and clear areas amongst reeds in lakes or reed-beds.

Habits: The male is easily disturbed from aquatic vegetation during the day. Both sexes fly at night and come to light. Females are often recorded at light a long way from likely breeding sites.

Foodplant: The aquatic larva feeds on duckweed and possibly other aquatic plants. It overwinters while small in a floating case and may occasionally feed during the winter. In the spring the larva makes a larger case containing air. It is made of several overlapping leaves of duckweed. It pupates just below the surface in a dense white cocoon amongst the duckweed.