Elophila nymphaeata

Elophila nymphaeata, the brown china mark, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. It was described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. It is found in Europe. The moth is notable as its larva, like most members of the crambid subfamily Acentropinae, is aquatic and has tracheal gills.

Caterpillar

Elophila nymphaeata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Crambidae
Genus:
Elophila
Species:
E. nymphaeata
Binomial name
Elophila nymphaeata
Synonyms
  • Phalaena (Geometra) nymphaeata Linnaeus, 1758
  • Nymphula nymphaeata auralis Osthelder, 1935
  • Elophila interruptalis ezoensis Yoshiyasu, 1985
  • Nymphula nymphaeata hederalis Amsel, 1935
  • Hydrocampa algiralis Guenée, 1849
  • Hydrocampa nigra Foucart, 1876
  • Hydrocampa obscuralis Selys-Longchamps, 1845
  • Hydrocampa nymphaealis Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775
  • Nymphula latifaseata Rothschild, 1921
  • Nymphula latifasciata Klima, 1937
  • Nymphula nymphaeata f. reducta Lattin, 1958
  • Nymphula sordidior Rothschild, 1921
  • Nymphula umbrata Meder, 1934
  • Phalaena (Geometra) potamogata Linnaeus, 1758
  • Hydrocampa potamogetalis Reutti, 1898
  • Hydrocampa potamogalis Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775
  • Phalaena nympheata Hufnagel, 1767
  • Phalaena rivulata Scopoli, 1763
  • Elophila nymphaeata silarigla (Speidel, 1984)

The wingspan is 16–20 mm.The forewings vary from yellow-ochreous to rather dark fuscous ; basal area with dentate white and dark fuscous lines ; a white subcostal spot before first line ; lines whitish, obscure, dark-margined, first angulated above middle, second with deep abrupt sinuation inwards below middle ; median band almost occupied by three white dark edged blotches ; an irregular interrupted white dark-edged and dark-veined subterminal streak. Hindwings as forewings, but base white, median band white except discal spot, second lineless sinuate.The larva is light brownish ; dorsal line darker ; head light brown ; plate of 2 black-edged.In flat oval floating cases of leaf-fragments, on Potamogeton, Hydrocharis, Sparganium, etc[2]

The moth flies from May to September depending on the location.

The larvae feed on Potamogeton, Nymphaeaceae and Nuphar lutea.

Subspecies
  • Elophila nymphaeata nymphaeata
  • Elophila nymphaeata silarigla Speidel, 1984 (Algeria and Morocco)

References
  1. "GlobIZ search". Global Information System on Pyraloidea. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
  2. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description
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