ABH 63.114	Brown China-mark Elophila nymphaeata		BF 1345
Back To	(Linnaeus, 1758)
Phenology	JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Family	Crambidae » Acentropinae
Wingspan	22-30 mm.
Description	This species shows variable, ground colouration from tan to dark chocolate. with a a pearlescent finish some examples are quite dark and dull-looking, whereas others can have delicately-patterned white patches and streaks.China-marks are unusual in so far as their larvae are entirely aquatic, feeding on water plants.
Life Cycle	The moth flies in July and August, and the species is fairly common around ponds, lakes and canals throughout Britain.Food plant: Larvae are aquatic, feeding on pondweeds, Bur-reeds, Frogbit - Potamogeton, Nymphaeaceae and Nuphar lutea.Unusual amongst the Lepidoptera as it has an aquatic larval stage, as the larvae grow larger they construct transportable cases made from plant material.
Habitat	Near water. By ponds, lakes, slow rivers, canals.
Links
Images