Crambidae

63.118 Beautiful China-mark Nymphula nitidulata (Hufnagel, 1767)

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 10 to 12mm

Habitats: Pond, lake and slow flowing river and stream margins, marshes and fens.

Habits: The moth is easily disturbed from aquatic vegetation during the day. It flies at night and come to light. It is often recorded at light a long way from likely breeding sites.

Foodplant: The young larva mines a stem of bur-reed, Yellow Water-lily and probably other water plants. It overwinters in the stem. In April it either continues feeding in the stem or makes a spinning of leaves just below the water surface. It pupates in a white cocoon attached to the foodplant just below the water surface.